Healthy Tomato Zucchini Pasta (Printable)

A nourishing pasta with fresh zucchini, tomatoes, and herbs, ready in 35 minutes.

# 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 (penne or spaghetti)

→ 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, to taste

→ 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 the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, 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, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to soften and release their juices.
06 - Toss in spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted.
07 - Add drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce. Remove from heat. Stir in fresh basil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil and a drizzle of olive oil.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It transforms ordinary vegetables into something that feels like a special occasion
  • The whole wheat pasta actually works beautifully here, holding its texture against the tender vegetables
  • Come together in under 40 minutes but tastes like it took all day
02 -
  • The pasta water is liquid gold, so do not forget to save it before draining
  • Whole wheat pasta takes slightly longer to cook than white pasta, so taste test early
  • Zucchini releases water as it cooks, so do not be tempted to add more oil
03 -
  • Use yellow squash sometimes for a fun color variation
  • Let the dish sit for 5 minutes before serving so flavors really meld

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