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One Tray Creamy Zucchini Pasta Recipe

One Tray Creamy Zucchini Pasta Recipe

5 from 26 reviews

This One Tray Creamy Zucchini Pasta is a quick and easy vegan dish that combines roasted zucchini, red onion, and garlic with a smooth, creamy sauce made from vegan cream cheese and Parmesan. Baked vegetables are blended with fresh herbs and pasta water to create a luscious, flavorful sauce, perfectly coating your favorite pasta for a comforting yet healthy meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8.8 oz (250g) pasta of your choice

Vegetables

  • 1 large zucchini, sliced (or 2 medium zucchinis)
  • 1 red onion, sliced (or 2 shallots)
  • 1 whole head of garlic, top sliced off

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegan cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) vegan Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Italian herbs
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) reserved pasta water
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Garnish

  • Fresh basil, chopped
  • Zest of 1 lemon

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Vegetables: Slice the zucchini and red onion (or shallots) and place them on a baking tray. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
  2. Add Garlic and Cream Cheese: Place the whole head of garlic on the tray, with the top sliced off to expose the cloves. Dot dollops of vegan cream cheese over the vegetables.
  3. Cover and Bake: Cover the baking tray with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender, caramelized, and the garlic is soft.
  4. Cook the Pasta: While the vegetables roast, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  5. Make the Creamy Sauce: Remove the roasted vegetables and garlic from the oven. Squeeze the softened garlic cloves out of the head into a blender. Add the roasted vegetables, vegan cream cheese, vegan Parmesan, fresh basil, and a small amount of reserved pasta water. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding more pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly to the baking tray or a large bowl. Pour the creamy sauce over the pasta and toss gently to combine and coat evenly.
  7. Serve: Serve the creamy zucchini pasta hot, garnished with additional fresh basil and lemon zest for a bright finish.

Notes

  • You can use any variety of pasta you prefer, such as penne, fusilli, or spaghetti.
  • For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce before blending.
  • If vegan cream cheese is unavailable, silken tofu or cashew cream can be good alternatives.
  • To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute with gluten-free pasta.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of water or plant milk to loosen the sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy zucchini pasta, vegan pasta recipe, one tray pasta, roasted vegetables pasta, easy vegan dinner