Zesty Penne with Zucchini and Parmesan

Ingredients

- 12 oz Penne pasta
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons
- 4 tbsp Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients: Begin by slicing the zucchinis into half-moons and finely mincing the garlic cloves. Set these aside.

2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over the stove. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions, approximately PT10M.
10 minutes
Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water for later use.

3. Sauté Garlic and Zucchini: While the pasta is cooking, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant and golden, about PT2M.
2 minutes
Add the sliced zucchinis to the skillet and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Sauté the vegetables for PT6M, stirring occasionally, until the zucchinis are tender and slightly golden.
6 minutes

4. Combine and Finish the Dish: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the zucchinis. If the mixture seems dry, add a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water to achieve a creamy consistency. Drizzle in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and fold in half of the grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt and coat the pasta evenly. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.

5. Serve: Divide the pasta among four serving plates, topping each with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately to enjoy this flavorful and aromatic dish.

Preparation & Cooking Times

Preparation Time: PT10M
10 minutes

Cooking Time: PT18M
18 minutes

Total Time

Total Time: PT28M
28 minutes

Type of Dish

Lunch

Keywords

Penne pasta, Zucchini, Parmesan cheese, Vegetarian lunch, Quick pasta recipe, Easy stove dish, Garlic and olive oil, Spicy Italian pasta, Zesty penne, Lunch recipe

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total Calories: 1800

#PastaLovers #QuickLunch #ItalianFlavor #VegetarianGoodness #CheesyZucchini