You’re going to love this pasta with zucchini recipe. Using your favorite pasta and in season zucchini it’s a simple and easy to make summer recipe.
Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best. We always had a large garden growing up. My father would plant so many tomato, pepper and zucchini plants we were drowning in produce. While we canned the tomatoes, we had to get a bit more creative with zucchini. Think zucchini bread, zucchini parmesan, etc.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It uses your favorite pasta, while spaghetti is the top choice you can use other long cut pasta or short cut pasta if needed.
- You can use your favorite marinara sauce whether it’s homemade or store bought.
- By using zucchini you get a vegetable in your meal.
Ingredients
Zucchini – 1 -2 zucchini depending on their size.
Olive Oil – For lightly frying the zucchini, you are only using a small amount.
Pasta – Spaghetti or another long shaped pasta like linguine or capellini etc., however, you can use your favorite short cut pasta if that’s what you have on hand.
Marinara Sauce – Use your favorite homemade or store bought pasta sauce.
Salt
Parmesan Cheese (Optional) – For added flavor
Instructions
- Slice the zucchini into 1/4 inch slices.
- Warm 3 tbsp of olive oil in a large frying pan.
- Fry the zucchini in batches until lightly browned on both sides and fork tender.
- As the zucchini is cooked, place them on a paper towel lined plate to drain the oil and sprinkle lightly with salt. Set aside.
- Boil the pasta water, add salt to the water and cook pasta to box directions.
- Make or warm up the marinara sauce.
- Once the pasta is cooked, mix with the marinara sauce then top with the zucchini.
- Sprinkle with shredded or grated parmesan cheese if desired.
Recipe Variations
- You can make this recipe gluten-free by substituting gluten-free pasta. My favorite brand is from Jovial. You can find it at most supermarkets or Target.
- Omit the cheese if you are dairy-free.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Pasta with Zucchini Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Zucchini, sliced into rounds 1/4 inch thick approximately 1 lb.
- 3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 1/2 cup Marinara Sauce
- 7 oz Pasta
- Salt
- Parmesan cheese, shredded or grated Optional
Instructions
Make the Zucchini
- Add the olive oil to a large frying pan. Once heated add the zucchini rounds in one single layer.
- Fry in batches if necessary until both sides are lightly browned and fork tender. Approx 5 minutes per side.
- As the zucchini is finished cooking remove them to a paper towel lined plate or bowl. Sprinkle very lightly with salt.
Make The Pasta
- Fill a large pot with water. Once it boils add salt, then the pasta. Cook the pasta to package directions.
- Make or heat up the marinara sauce. Once pasta is cooked add it to the marinara sauce and mix until the sauce is covering all the pasta.
- Top the pasta with the fried zucchini, the sprinkle on the parmesan cheese if desired.
