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–+ servings
zucchini pasta made with spaghetti, roasted zucchini, garlic-infused olive oil, fresh mint, basil, and Parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl.

Zucchini Pasta (5 ingredients)

With golden brown zucchini as the star ingredient, this quick and easy Zucchini Pasta is a comforting 5 ingredient pasta dish, that's creamy and light without using any heavy cream. It's an authentic Italian dish from the Amalfi coast, inspired by pasta alla nerano, that's the perfect summer pasta.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 747 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • large sauté' pan
  • 2 Baking sheets

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounces spaghetti
  • 2 pounds zucchini sliced into thin rounds
  • 6 Tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 2-3 garlic cloves smashed
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese or caciocavallo if available
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • 2 Tablespoon chopped fresh mint
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • reserved pasta water

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Arrange the zucchini slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle with 2 Tablespoons olive oil, season lightly with salt, and toss to coat. Roast for 20–25 minutes until the zucchini are golden and lightly browned around the edges.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package directions. Reserve about 1 to 2 cups of the pasta water before draining.
  • While the pasta cooks, heat the remaining olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the smashed garlic cloves and cook for about 1 minute to gently infuse the oil. Remove and discard the garlic.
  • Add the drained spaghetti to the pan with the garlic-infused oil. Add the roasted zucchini and about ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss for 1 to 2 minutes until the zucchini is evenly distributed and the pasta is lightly coated. Add additional pasta water as needed to begin creating a light, glossy sauce.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and add the Parmesan cheese, basil, and mint. Toss continuously, adding small splashes of pasta water as needed until the pasta becomes glossy and lightly coated.
  • Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with additional grated cheese if desired.

Notes

Storage:
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat on the stove over medium heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen and refresh the sauce. Stir occasionally and serve once hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 747kcalCarbohydrates: 93gProtein: 27gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 427mgPotassium: 890mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 782IUVitamin C: 42mgCalcium: 366mgIron: 3mg
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