One dish meal using healthy zucchini to create a satisfying sauce
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Total Time40 minutes mins
Servings: 6 2/3 cup servings
Box grater
Colander
Cutting board
Knife
Large bowl
Large pot
Large skillet
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Mixing spoon
- 2 cups whole wheat bow tie pasta
- 1 small clove garlic
- 2 medium zucchini 10 ounces by weight, about 2/3 of a pound
- 1 Tablespoon canola oil
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- ¼ teaspoon salt Pinch ground black pepper
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Prepare zucchini sauce while pasta is cooks.
Peel and mince garlic.
Rinse and grate zucchini. Measure 2 cups grated zucchini.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add zucchini and minced garlic. Cook until mixture softens and zucchini yields some liquid, about 5 minutes.
Drain pasta, reserving ½ cup cooking liquid.
Add 1-2 teaspoons cooking liquid to zucchini mixture. Add drained pasta. Stir, coating pasta evenly with sauce. Add more pasta water as needed.
Transfer pasta to large bowl for serving. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
- Use yellow squash in place of the zucchini. Or, use a mix of both.
- For faster cooking, grate zucchini in advance. Refrigerate until you are ready to cook.
- Make a simple pasta salad. Mix raw grated zucchini with cooked and cooled pasta, canola oil, mint, basil, or other herbs.
- Add more veggies in step 4 if you like. Try diced carrots or tomatoes, peas, or corn.
Try using different pasta shapes.