Zucchini Penne Pasta

5 from 2 votes

Zucchini penne pasta is a vegetarian dinner option perfect for fresh summer squash. It's tangy and perfect for hot summer days when you want to eat a lighter meal.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: dinner

Cuisine: American, Italian

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: servings

Calories: 321kcal

Author: Nicole Durham

Cost: Recipe $7.42 / Serving $0.93

Equipment

Ingredients

1 box (16 ounces) penne pasta ($0.98)
2 large zucchini, chopped ($1.78)
1 tablespoon olive oil ($0.14)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter ($0.37)
4 teaspoons garlic, minced ($0.32)
1 teaspoon salt ($0.01)
½ teaspoon ground black pepper ($0.04)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved ($2.98)
½ cup pasta water, reserved ($0.00)
1 tablespoon lemon juice ($0.06)
½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded ($0.74)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cook pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the penne, and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
Prep zucchini. While the pasta cooks, wash the zucchini, trim the ends, and chop into ¼ inch pieces.
Sauté base. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
Cook vegetables. Add the zucchini, salt, and black pepper and cook for about 8 minutes, until softened. Add the cherry tomatoes during the last 1 to 2 minutes.
Combine. Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with the lemon juice and reserved pasta water. Toss to combine.
Finish. Add the Parmesan cheese and toss until evenly coated.
Serve. Serve warm.

Notes

Recipe Tips. Salt pasta water generously for best flavor. Cook zucchini over medium heat to avoid burning. If vegetables finish early, keep warm until pasta is ready.
Make Ahead. Pasta and zucchini can be cooked separately and refrigerated, then combined and reheated for a quick meal.
Reheating. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or reheat on the stove with a splash of water or butter.
Storage. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition