Creamy Lemon Zucchini Pasta
A fresh and vibrant lemon zucchini pasta dish that is quick and easy to whip together! The perfect quick summer dinner recipe that will brighten your summer day.
Servings: 2
Calories: 671kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 garlic clove finely grated
- 1 lemon zested
- 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice ½ lemon juiced
- 1 medium zucchini coarsely grated, about 2 cups
- ½ cup mascarpone
- ½ cup parmesan finely grated
- ½ cup basil leaves finely sliced
- 2 cups gemelli pasta or short pasta of choice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup reserved pasta cooking water
Toppings
- ¼ cup toasted breadcrumbs optional
- 2 tablespoons shaved parmesan to top
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.2 cups gemelli pasta
- In a frying pan, heat the butter over a gentle heat. Add the garlic and the lemon zest and let sizzle in the pan for a few seconds. Add the zucchini to the pan and quickly toss in the butter - you don't want to overcook it!1 tablespoon butter, 1 garlic clove, 1 lemon, 1 medium zucchini
- Stir in the mascarpone, parmesan, lemon juice and basil until combined.½ cup mascarpone, ½ cup parmesan, ½ cup basil leaves, 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
- Drain the pasta, reserving ¼ cup of the cooking water. Tip the drained pasta into the sauce and toss to coat. Add as much of the reserved pasta water as desired until the pasta is well-coated and saucy. Season with salt and pepper.½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ cup reserved pasta cooking water, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- If liked, toast some breadcrumbs in butter (½ tablespoon butter to ¼ cup breadcrumbs) and sprinkle over the top of the pasta. Finish with shaved parmesan.¼ cup toasted breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons shaved parmesan
Notes
- Be sure to cook the pasta al dente.
- Make sure you reserve some pasta cooking water to help loosen the sauce.
- Serve immediately with crusty bread.
Nutrition
Serving: 1half | Calories: 671kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 1117mg | Potassium: 551mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1708IU | Vitamin C: 52mg | Calcium: 359mg | Iron: 2mg