Creamy Pasta With Roasted Zucchini, Almonds and Basil Recipe (2024)

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Peggy

I really shy away from turning on the oven in summer, so sautéed the zucchini in same skillet I used to toast almonds. Very nice flavor and almonds essential for texture.

REBECCA CHERRY

This is a unique and refreshing dish but, I agree with the comments about the proportions of vegetable to pasta and basil/lemon to sauce. Specificity would help here because the variation in basil sprigs size and leaf count alters the intensity of the infusion. after letting the sauce sit, I removed the cooked basil and added julienned fresh basil when I tossed the pasta. lastly, I doubled the amounts on both lemon zest and almonds.

Blm

I replaced the zucchini with butternut squash pieces and it was delicious. It would make a great vegetarian addition to the Thanksgiving table.

HBN

This was very good and I got a definite "make again" from the family, but I think I'd add a bit of Parmesan at the end next time as I felt it need just a little bit more flavor.

HBN

I made this again last night and added sauteed mushrooms and garlic to the sauce. Amazingly good.

Sean

Love the simplicity of this recipe. Next time I will increase the amount of Basil. I love the flavor and found it too muted wish the amount I used.
P.S. I have a bit of a crush on Melissa, consequently, all of her recipes are great for me.

Maike

We used half and half instead of cream the second time we made this, and couldn't tell the difference!

Erica

I doubled the lemon zest, and next time I'll double the zucchini as well.

Gigi

I don't care for it either! I would either substitute fresh ricotta, imported feta or mascarpone if you like a cream cheese taste.

Or next time you're at your favorite cheese shop or even a great cheese department in a supermarket you might ask the cheese manager for a recommendation.

Sue

I was grateful for comments on this recipe and incorporated several. I used 4 1/2 cups of zucchini and bumped up the lemon zest just a little. I was glad I had saved some pasta water, but I needed only a couple tablespoons. It was absolutely terrific with the hand-made fettuccine I was lucky to have. A definite keeper!

Portez

One fourth cup of reduced cream sauce added to six ounces of spaghetti will not result in "creamy" pasta. Either the amount of sauce should be increased or that of the pasta reduced--or perhaps both.

Mac

I subbed feta instead of goat cheese and added lemon juice to bump it up. Definitely needs some pepper as well. Delicious.

Sharon Hart

Ooh we loved this dish. We cooked the courgette on (180 degrees C - UK oven) I bought a Tri-colour pack of spaghetti and the flavours of the spaghetti added nicely to the dish, as I don’t like whole wheat spaghetti.We added a capful of vodka to the cream once it had warmed up a bit before adding the goats cheese.I also managed to buy a very nice goats cheese that wasn’t expensive it tasted lovely. I added chopped up basil on top after. Will definitely cook again. Yum.

academic omnivore

Substituted almonds for pancetta because luxury, added a bunch of fresh basil at the end, and more lemon zest as others recommended.

Flossie Kate

I made this using half-and-half instead of heavy cream (1/2 cup) and I added some sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions and some sautéed sugar snap peas. It’s excellent!!

Gradeshpande

Decidedly meh. Not a lot of flavor for all that you do. The basil smelled amazing while simmering in the cream, but the taste was totally overwhelmed by the toppings (even something as mild as zucchini). Almonds were the tastiest past of the finished dish.

meggeers

Can cook zucchini in air fryer

Marta Simmons

To spark this up we added fresh tomato pieces in a basil and oil marinate. I will do it next time by adding the cream and cheese to a skillet w the hot pasta and then the basil/tomatoes at the end w the pine nuts, zest and zucchini. The stirring of the basil in the cream was putsy and added little flavor and a dirty pan.

susan

This was delicious! I only had pine nuts… toasted them and it tasted great. Also, added Parmesan to the cream sauce. Cooked the zucchini in my air fryer and thought the texture was great! Will make this again!!!

Marianne

My family and I love this recipe. Roasted asparagus pieces make a great substitute for the zucchini. Otherwise, I follow the recipe exactly as written and serve it with freshly grated parmesan.

nara

I used ricotta instead of goat cheese. It turned out good too!

SaraM

Delicious! Even my 3 year old ate it. 500 is too high an oven temp for roasting zucchini though. I did 25 minutes at 425 and it came out perfectly. I also added a little garlic and some red pepper flakes to the sauce. Finished off w Parmesan per the other reviews.

Hollis

This was delicious! I roasted some sliced yellow onion along with the zucchini. And added smashed garlic to simmer in the cream with the basil. Swapped pistachios for the almonds and topped with pecorino.I loved the crunch from the nuts and the freshness from the lemon zest, and I agree with the other comments that this dish could happily stand up to more of both.

Tommy Weir

Roasted a butternut squash instead of the courgettes/zucchini, as someone suggested. Was glad I did, worked really well.I also doubled the lemon zest and slivered almonds as another suggested.The flavor combination works really well, cream, goats cheese, lemon and toasted almonds pair beautifully with the pasta and vegetable. Will make again.

leslie

this is one of my favorite recipes. I think the roasting makes a big difference

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Creamy Pasta With Roasted Zucchini, Almonds and Basil Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep zucchini from getting soggy when roasting? ›

ELEVATE THE ZUCCHINI by placing it on a baking rack, then setting that baking rack on top of your regular baking sheet. This allows air to circulate on all sides of the zucchini and helps water evaporate so the zucchini is beautifully caramelized, not soggy.

What 4 ingredient zucchini pasta dish does Stanley Tucci eat? ›

He proclaimed his love for this simple zucchini pasta dish "Spaghetti alla Nerano" made with fried zucchini slices, extra virgin olive oil, basil and parmesan. The zucchini slices caramelise in the deep frying process and in time soften up in the fridge so that they break down and make a lovely, simple pasta sauce.

How do you crisp soggy zucchini? ›

Slice and salt zucchini in advance of cooking to draw out some of the vegetable's excess moisture (while also seasoning it more thoroughly). To do this, cut up a pound of zucchini and toss it with ½ teaspoon of table salt. Let it drain in a colander for about 30 minutes before patting it dry and cooking it.

Is zucchini a good substitute for pasta? ›

The dark green skin of the vegetable provides many of the nutrients, so try enjoying zucchini without peeling it. Zucchini noodles (also known as zoodles) are a great low-carb or gluten free substitute for traditional wheat pasta.

Should I salt zucchini before roasting? ›

Season it before and after baking.

Tossing the zucchini with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper before baking gives it an amazing foundation of flavor. But adding a few extra seasonings after it roasts really takes it over the top.

What is Stanley Tucci favorite pasta? ›

That Zucchini Spaghetti Stanley Tucci Loves (Spaghetti alla Nerano)

What is the holy trinity of Italian pasta? ›

Three of the iconic pastas of Rome have their differences, but the use of Pecorino Romano sheep's milk cheese is the common denominator. Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe and Amatriciana are the holy trinity of Roman pasta dishes on restaurant menus.

Where did Stanley Tucci eat zucchini pasta? ›

Yet, when the actor Stanley Tucci visited Nerano, a romantic little village on the Sorrento Peninsula, at the beginning of the Amalfi Coast, for the first episode of his hit CNN eating series “Searching for Italy,” he raised a regional zucchini dish to A-list culinary prominence and lured a steady stream of Americans ...

Why is my baked zucchini bitter? ›

Remove the Seeds: The seeds and surrounding flesh can sometimes contribute to bitterness. You can scoop out the seeds before cooking. Salt and Drain: Sprinkle salt on sliced zucchini and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes. This draws out excess moisture and bitterness.

When should you throw out zucchini? ›

Mushy/soft/stringy flesh texture - Along with these brown/dark spots, the flesh of the zucchini may begin to look and feel mushy, stringy, and soft. If your zucchini looks stringy, not firm and meaty, it's time to be discarded.

How do you sweat zucchini before baking? ›

How to Sweat Zucchini. Lay your zucchini slices over a double layer of paper towels and sprinkle both sides with salt. Allow the zucchini to rest for about 10 minutes. The salt will draw out the excess water and you'll see beads of moisture on the surface.

Does zucchini pasta taste like pasta? ›

While zucchini noodles do not taste exactly like pasta noodles, if you cook them properly (meaning until they are al dente, not mushy), they are surprisingly satisfying.

What is the difference between zucchini and Italian zucchini? ›

These are the types of zucchini commonly sold in local summer markets in Italy. The fruits are long, green-striped, and distinctly ridged. The texture is less watery than the usual smooth, green zucchinis and the flavour is pleasantly nutty.

How do you keep roasted vegetables from getting mushy? ›

The Oven Temp Is Too Low

A low-and-slow cooking technique is excellent for vegetables like carrots, beets or potatoes that you plan to puree into soup. But, they'll turn out soft and soggy instead of crispy and caramelized. The solution: Turn the oven temperature up to 400°F to 425°F.

Why did my zucchini turn to mush? ›

On the other hand, they may simply be waterlogging if your garden is poorly drained. Another possibility is squash bugs have damaged them and rot has set in as a result. In the meantime, keep removing the infected fruit as soon as you see signs of the problem.

Why is my zucchini turning to mush? ›

Blossom End Rot

It's occurs due to the plants inability to get calcium. This can be caused by a few things: Watering inconsistency (the most likely cause especially if you've had a lot of rain) Soil PH is either too high or too low (do a PH test to check)

How do you firm up zucchini? ›

Arrange the zucchini pieces into a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (It will stick to the pan if you don't line it first!) Freeze the zucchini for about 1 hour, until it's firm to the touch, then transfer it to an airtight container to preserve the flavor as you store it.

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