Description
This Creamy Lemon Zucchini Pasta is a delightful and easy-to-make Italian-inspired dish perfect for a quick vegetarian dinner. Featuring tender zucchini sautéed with garlic and finished with a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce, it combines bright flavors with comforting pasta for a light yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 medium zucchini, grated or finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about half a lemon)
Dairy & Oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté Zucchini: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the grated zucchini and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened and most moisture has evaporated.
- Add Aromatics and Seasonings: Stir in minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for an additional minute until fragrant. Then mix in lemon zest and lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
- Make Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Let it simmer gently for 2–3 minutes while stirring to combine and thicken slightly. Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until fully melted and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat with the sauce. Gradually add reserved pasta water, a splash at a time, to loosen the sauce if it’s too thick.
- Serve: Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped basil or parsley for garnish.
Notes
- For a lighter cream sauce, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or light cream.
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
- Use spiralized zucchini alongside pasta for added vegetable content and texture.
