Description
Summer Garden Pasta is a vibrant, light, and flavorful dish that brings together the best of the season’s produce. Sweet cherry tomatoes, aromatic basil, and tender zucchini are tossed with spaghetti and a drizzle of olive oil, making it a perfect, quick vegetarian meal for warm evenings.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
Pasta & Pantry
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Optional Garnishes
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to taste (omit for vegan)
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the zucchini, mince the garlic, and tear the basil leaves. Set aside the prepared vegetables and herbs.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Sauté the Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add zucchini and tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are just tender and tomatoes are juicy.
- Toss Pasta and Finish: Add drained pasta to the skillet with the vegetables. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce. Remove from heat and fold in torn basil leaves.
- Serve: Divide among plates. Garnish with Parmesan, additional basil, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra protein, add cooked chickpeas or grilled chicken.
- Swap out vegetables based on what’s freshest at your market—bell peppers and summer squash work well.
- Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version.
- Omit Parmesan or use a vegan cheese for a vegan option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 64g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
