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Best Weeknight Tomato Zucchini Pasta – homefoodkitchen Recipe

Best Weeknight Tomato Zucchini Pasta - homefoodkitchen Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 24 reviews

A delicious and easy weeknight pasta recipe featuring fusilli tossed with sautéed zucchini, blistered cherry tomatoes, and a flavorful blend of spices, finished with grated parmesan and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 oz fusilli pasta

Vegetables

  • 2 medium green zucchinis, diced
  • 2 cups whole cherry tomatoes

Spices & Seasonings

  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp fennel seed
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp crushed chili flakes (optional)

Liquids

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup vegetable broth, plus extra as needed

Cheese & Garnish

  • 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • Extra parmesan cheese, for serving
  • Fresh basil or parsley leaves, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the Fusilli Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the fusilli pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
  2. Sauté the Zucchini: While pasta cooks, dice zucchinis into bite-sized pieces. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini and sauté until golden and tender, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. Cook the Tomatoes with Spices: In the same skillet, add cherry tomatoes, black pepper, fennel seed, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), and vegetable broth. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring regularly until tomatoes are blistered and softened but retain shape, about 5-7 minutes, allowing juices to develop.
  4. Combine Pasta, Zucchini, and Cheese: Push tomatoes to one side of skillet. Add sautéed zucchini, cooked fusilli, and grated parmesan cheese. Stir and reheat gently for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and pasta is coated. Add more vegetable broth if sauce is too thick.
  5. Finish and Serve: Serve pasta immediately. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle extra parmesan on top, and garnish with fresh basil or parsley leaves. Optionally, sprinkle crushed chili flakes for extra heat.

Notes

  • For a spicier kick, include cayenne and crushed chili flakes as desired.
  • Use gluten-free pasta if needed to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • Vegetable broth can be substituted with pasta cooking water for a lighter flavor.
  • Parmesan cheese adds richness but can be omitted or replaced with a vegan cheese alternative to make it vegan.
  • Serve immediately for best texture as leftovers may soften the pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: zucchini pasta, tomato pasta, weeknight dinner, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, fusilli recipe

Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/best-weeknight-tomato-zucchini-pasta-homefoodkitchen-recipe/