Are you craving a quick, mouthwatering pasta dish that combines the earthy richness of mushrooms with the delicate freshness of zucchini? Get ready to transform your ordinary weeknight dinner into a gourmet experience that's both incredibly easy to make and devastatingly delicious! This Italian-inspired Zucchini and Mushroom Pasta is about to become your new go-to recipe that promises maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 200g pasta of choice
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 200g mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 200g of pasta, 1 zucchini sliced into thin rounds, 200g of sliced mushrooms, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 cloves of minced garlic, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese for serving.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add a generous pinch of salt to the water.
- Once the water is boiling, add the pasta of your choice. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Allow the oil to warm for about 1 minute.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn.
- Add the sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and have released their moisture.
- Next, add the sliced zucchini to the skillet with the mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender but still has a slight crunch.
- Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the zucchini and mushrooms. Toss everything together, adding a bit of the reserved pasta water if needed to help the sauce adhere to the pasta.
- Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
- Remove the skillet from heat and serve the pasta immediately, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Enjoy your delicious Zucchini and Mushroom Pasta, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal!
Tips
- Choose the Right Pasta: While this recipe works with any pasta, short shapes like penne or fusilli tend to capture the vegetable sauce best.
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: When sautéing mushrooms and zucchini, make sure they have enough space to brown properly. Overcrowding will cause them to steam instead of caramelize.
- Reserve Pasta Water: The starchy pasta water is liquid gold! It helps create a silky sauce and helps ingredients stick together.
- Season in Layers: Add a little salt and pepper at each cooking stage to build depth of flavor.
- Fresh Parmesan is Key: Grate your Parmesan cheese fresh for the most vibrant flavor and best melting properties.
- Timing is Everything: Cook vegetables just until tender to maintain their texture and nutritional value.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
