Healthy Tomato Zucchini Pasta (Printable View)

A light yet satisfying pasta with zucchini, tomatoes, and fresh Italian herbs

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons
02 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 2 cups baby spinach

→ Pasta

06 - 12 oz whole wheat pasta

→ Pantry & Seasonings

07 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
09 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnishes

11 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
12 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
03 - Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Stir in zucchini and cook for 4-5 minutes until just tender but still slightly crisp.
05 - Add cherry tomatoes, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes until tomatoes soften and release juices.
06 - Toss in spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted.
07 - Add drained pasta to skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed for sauce consistency.
08 - Remove from heat. Stir in fresh basil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.
09 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil and a drizzle of olive oil.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns simple vegetables into something that tastes like summer on a plate
  • The pasta water trick creates a restaurant quality sauce without any cream
  • Everything cooks in one skillet while the pasta boils, making cleanup almost nonexistent
02 -
  • The pasta water is non negotiable here. Without it, the vegetables and pasta will not bind together into a cohesive dish.
  • Do not overcrowd your skillet when cooking the vegetables. They will steam instead of caramelizing if they are piled too high.
03 -
  • Use a box grater to create wispy Parmesan shavings instead of grated cheese for a more elegant presentation
  • If your cherry tomatoes are not very juicy, add a splash of white wine or vegetable broth when they start cooking

Go Back