Zesty Tomato Zucchini Pasta Recipe: A Fresh Garden Delight

Weeknight dinners demand quick and delicious meals that blended tomato zucchini pasta with incredible ease.

Seasonal vegetables burst with fresh flavors in this simple recipe.

The colorful dish combines ripe tomatoes and tender zucchini into a mouthwatering combination.

Herbs and garlic enhance every single bite with robust Mediterranean notes.

Cooking this recipe takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

Pasta lovers will adore the light yet satisfying texture of this vegetable-packed meal.

You’ll be amazed at how quickly these ingredients transform into a stunning dinner that everyone will enjoy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 4

Tomato Zucchini Pasta Ingredient List

• Spaghetti, Penne: Choose high-quality pasta with a sturdy texture that holds sauce beautifully and cooks evenly.

• Zucchini: Select firm, bright green zucchini without soft spots or blemishes for the best flavor and texture.
• Tomatoes: Pick ripe, juicy tomatoes with deep color and slight give when gently pressed for maximum sweetness.

• Olive Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil for a rich, authentic Mediterranean taste and smooth cooking base.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves provide robust, aromatic depth to the entire pasta dish.
• Salt: High-quality sea salt or kosher salt helps elevate and balance the overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground pepper adds a subtle warmth and complexity to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Opt for authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano for a sharp, nutty finishing touch.
• Fresh Basil: Seek bright green, fragrant basil leaves to garnish and enhance the dish's freshness.

Tools That Help You Cook Tomato Zucchini Pasta With Ease

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta and creating a perfect water base.
• Colander: Crucial for draining pasta after cooking.
• Measuring Cup: Helps accurately reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing zucchini and any additional ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables.
• Wooden Spoon or Tongs: Useful for stirring pasta and mixing ingredients.

How to Make Fresh and Flavorful Tomato Zucchini Pasta

• Heat Water and Season

Grab a big pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt to create a flavor base for your pasta cooking.

• Cook Pasta Perfectly

Drop pasta into boiling water and let it dance around until it reaches that ideal tender-yet-firm texture. Keep an eye on the cooking time suggested on the package.

• Save Pasta Liquid

Before draining, scoop out a small cup of the starchy cooking water – this liquid gold will help create a silky sauce later.

• Slice Zucchini and Tomatoes

While pasta cooks, grab your cutting board and slice zucchini into thin half-moons. Chop tomatoes into bite-sized chunks that’ll burst with flavor.

• Sauté Vegetables

Heat a splash of olive oil in a skillet. Toss in zucchini and let it sizzle until it gets a beautiful golden edge. Add tomatoes and let them soften slightly.

• Combine and Create Sauce

Mix cooked pasta into the vegetable pan. Splash in some reserved pasta water to create a light, glossy coating. Stir everything together so each pasta strand gets dressed in veggie goodness.

• Season and Serve

Sprinkle with fresh herbs, a pinch of salt, and a twist of black pepper. Optional: add a shower of grated cheese for extra deliciousness.

Add Cheese, Herbs, or Heat for a New Spin

• Quick Veggie Boost: Toss in extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to increase nutritional value and add vibrant colors to your pasta dish.
• Perfect Al Dente Trick: Taste pasta a minute before package instructions to ensure it's perfectly cooked with a slight bite, preventing mushy texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free varieties made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu cubes for a protein-rich meal that keeps you full and satisfied longer.
• Cheese Lover's Twist: Sprinkle fresh parmesan, crumbled feta, or nutritional yeast for extra flavor and creamy texture, catering to different taste preferences.

Serve With Crusty Bread or a Light Salad

• Garden Fresh Pasta Plate: Sprinkle freshly chopped basil leaves and crumbled feta cheese over the top for a burst of Mediterranean flavor that adds brightness and creamy texture.
• Protein Power Boost: Top the pasta with grilled chicken strips or seared shrimp to transform this vegetable dish into a satisfying complete meal packed with protein.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, which complements the light, summery flavors of tomato and zucchini beautifully.
• Rustic Italian Side: Offer warm garlic bread or crusty ciabatta on the side to soak up the delicious sauce and create a more substantial dining experience.

Store Pasta and Sauce for a Quick Reheat

• Refrigerator Storage Magic: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor and freshness for quick reheating.
• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare extra pasta sauce and freeze in portion-sized containers for stress-free future meals that save time and energy.
• Veggie Freshness Strategy: Store zucchini and tomatoes separately in the refrigerator's crisper drawer before cooking to maintain their crisp texture and vibrant taste.
• Reheating Rescue Plan: Warm refrigerated pasta gently in a skillet with a splash of reserved pasta water to restore moisture and prevent dryness, bringing back that just-cooked deliciousness.

Vibrant Tomato Zucchini Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade tomato zucchini pasta brings Mediterranean freshness to classic Italian comfort food. Quick ingredients and simple techniques make this dish perfect for weeknight dinners and casual gatherings you’ll want to savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz (340 g) pasta (spaghetti, penne, or fusilli)
• 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons
• 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
• ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• ½ cup reserved pasta water (if needed)

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Instructions

1. Boiling Preparation: Fill a large pot with water, liberally salt, and bring to a vigorous boil, creating the perfect pasta-cooking environment.
2. Pasta Cooking: Immerse pasta in boiling water, meticulously following package instructions to achieve the quintessential al dente consistency, simultaneously preparing a cup of starchy cooking liquid.
3. Vegetable Preparation: While pasta cooks, expertly slice zucchini into delicate rounds and dice ripe tomatoes, releasing their vibrant essence and flavor potential.
4. Sauce Development: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium flame, introducing zucchini to create golden-edged, tender-crisp vegetable bases, then incorporate tomatoes to develop a rich, naturally sweet sauce.
5. Seasoning Enhancement: Sprinkle fragrant herbs, freshly ground pepper, and a nuanced salt layer to elevate the vegetable medley’s depth and complexity.
6. Final Composition: Gently unite cooked pasta with the vegetable mixture, folding carefully to ensure complete coating, strategically adding reserved pasta water to create a luxurious, silky texture.
7. Garnish and Serve: Crown the dish with freshly grated parmesan and a delicate cascade of chopped basil, transforming the meal into a culinary masterpiece ready for immediate enjoyment.

Notes

• Optimize Pasta Cooking: Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water before draining to create a silky, emulsified sauce that helps ingredients cling perfectly.
• Control Vegetable Texture: Sauté zucchini quickly on medium-high heat to achieve golden edges and maintain a tender-crisp center, preventing mushiness and preserving nutritional integrity.
• Balance Sauce Consistency: Add reserved pasta water incrementally to adjust sauce thickness, ensuring a glossy, light coating that embraces every pasta strand without becoming watery.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Layer herbs and seasonings gradually during cooking, allowing each ingredient to release its essential oils and develop a more complex, harmonious taste profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg