This Easy Summer Zucchini Pasta Recipes

THIS EASY SUMMER ZUCCHINI PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Generously salt the water. (It gives your pasta a ton of flavor!)
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until fragrant. (You don't want the garlic to brown at all). Add the zucchini and squash and sauté for 4-5 minutes or until tender. Season with salt and pepper. (Cook pasta until al dente if you haven't done so at this point).
• Once pasta is cooked, drain thoroughly and add back into the pot. Add the zucchini mixture to the pasta and toss until coated. Add the parmesan and toss, as well as the chopped basil. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Serve with extra parmesan and fresh basil!

SUMMER PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI, RICOTTA AND BASIL

Steps:

• Put a pot of water on to boil. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onions in 3 tablespoons olive oil until softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat as necessary to keep onions from browning. Add zucchini, season generously with salt and pepper, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until rather soft, about 10 minutes. Turn off heat.
• Meanwhile, use a mortar and pestle to pound garlic, basil and a little salt into a rough paste (or use a mini food processor). Stir in 3 tablespoons olive oil.
• Salt the pasta water well and put in the pasta, stirring. Boil per package instructions but make sure to keep pasta quite al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of cooking water.
• Add cooked pasta to zucchini in skillet and turn heat to medium-high. Add 1/2 cup cooking water, then the ricotta, crushed red pepper and lemon zest, stirring to distribute. Check seasoning and adjust. Cook for 1 minute more. Mixture should look creamy. Add a little more pasta water if necessary. Add the basil paste and half the grated cheese and quickly stir to incorporate. Spoon pasta into warm soup plates and sprinkle with additional cheese. Serve immediately.

SUMMER ZUCCHINI PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and yellow squash; cook and stir until crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add tomatoes, basil, rosemary, salt and pepper flakes; heat through. Drain pasta; serve with zucchini mixture. If desired, top with additional basil.

SUMMER SPAGHETTI WITH GARDEN FRESH ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water and add the spaghetti.
• Heat the olive oil in a large straight-sided pan over medium-high heat. Add the corn, zucchini, garlic and red pepper flakes and saute, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender but not browned, 4 to 6 minutes.
• When the spaghetti is al dente, drain and add to the zucchini. Turn off the heat and toss lightly. Add the tomatoes, walnuts and half the Parmesan. Drizzle with olive oil and gently mix together. Garnish with basil and additional Parmesan. Divide the pasta among bowls and serve.