Savory Zucchini and Cheese Spaghetti Delight

Ingredients

- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 2 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sharp provolone cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pasta:
- Cook 8 ounces of spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

2. Cook the Zucchini:
- While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the thinly sliced zucchinis and 1 teaspoon of salt, stirring occasionally until they start to soften and brown slightly, approximately 5 minutes.

3. Combine Ingredients:
- Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked spaghetti to the pan with zucchini.
- Stir in the reserved pasta water gradually, mixing until the spaghetti and zucchini are well combined, and the pasta is coated with flavors.

4. Add Cheeses and Seasonings:
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup of sharp provolone and 1/4 cup of Pecorino Romano over the spaghetti mixture. Toss gently until the cheeses melt and fully integrate with the pasta.
- Season with 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes. Mix thoroughly.

5. Infuse with Freshness:
- Remove the pan from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or 1 teaspoon of lemon zest, along with 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil leaves.

6. Serve:
- Divide the savory zucchini and cheese spaghetti among four plates. Garnish with additional basil leaves if desired.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation: PT10M
10 minutes
- Cooking: PT20M
20 minutes

Total Time

- PT30M
30 minutes

Type of Dish

- Dinner

Keywords

- Zucchini pasta
- Cheese spaghetti
- Pan-fried zucchini
- Easy dinner recipe
- Provolone cheese pasta
- Vegetarian dinner
- Lemon basil pasta
- Quick pasta meal
- Flavorful spaghetti
- Italian-inspired dinner

Recipe Yield

- Feeds 4 adults

Calories

- Exact total: 1600 calories

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