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Simplest Zucchini Parmesan Pasta. Garden fresh summer zucchini cooked down and mashed into a buttery, peppery parmesan pasta sauce – without using any cream. This quick pasta takes just minutes to make and uses the simplest of summertime ingredients, most of which you may have in your pantry right now! This dish isn’t super fancy, but it’s totally delicious.
I’m all about quick cooking, minimal ingredients, and little-effort recipes right now. It’s probably why I haven’t wanted to make a layer cake in months. Like most of you, I’m looking for fast and delicious recipes. Especially when it comes to summer dinners.
For us, summer dinners are always enjoyed on the later side. With the sun staying up until 9 pm, we never end up sitting down for dinner before 8 pm. For this reason alone, quick and simple dinner recipes are best – we’re tired and hungry!
That’s when I fall back on recipes just like today’s Zucchini Parmesan Pasta. A simple pasta that highlights two of my favorite summer foods, zucchini (or yellow summer squash) and fresh garden-grown basil.
I’ve been making this simple zucchini pasta for years, we just love it! Originally, I made this because I had an abundance of zucchini and fresh basil that needed to be used up!
With everyone’s gardens starting to flourish, I knew we needed to make my favorite pasta! I know you all will really love this one!
Step 1: Start cooking the pasta
You can use any cut of pasta you love, long or short. I think a thick-cut rigatoni noodle works very nicely! Spaghetti or fettuccini would be nice too.
Just before you drain the pasta, reserve a little over a cup of the pasta cooking water. You’ll need the pasta water to help create the yummy sauce.
Step 2: cook the squash
While the pasta is cooking, start the zucchini. You can also use yellow squash or a mix of the two. The secret is to cook the zucchini until it’s deep golden and caramelized. Once it hits this stage, it can be easily broken down and mashed. Cooking the zucchini this way allows for the flavors to really come out, it becomes sweet and buttery. It’s honestly just magical.
I find the zucchini is easiest to break down if you shred the zucchini first and then add it to the pan. Just like you would shred cheese.
I decided to leave the zucchini on the chunkier side, but if you prefer a smooth pasta sauce, you could puree the zucchini in the food processor. This is an extra step and an extra dish to wash though.
Chunky or smooth, it’s going to be good.
Step 3: finish the sauce
Once the zucchini is cooked, add the reserved pasta water, the cheeses – parmesan and pecorino, and butter to the pasta. Toss until you have a nice cheesy sauce.
Finish this pasta with fresh basil and lots of freshly cracked parmesan. Enjoy this warm, while the sauce is hot and creamy.
This is one of those recipes that can easily become a staple because it’s truly so easy, simple, and delicious. And if you happen to be growing zucchini this summer, I foresee this becoming a staple in your kitchen too!
Looking for other simple pasta dinners? Here are a few of my go-to’s.
One Pot Lemon Butter Ricotta and Zucchini Pasta
Pesto Cheese Zucchini Ravioli with Burst Tomatoes
Spicy Zucchini Ricotta Lasagna with Oregano Breadcrumbs
Cherry Tomato Pasta Alla Vodka
Lastly, if you make, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Loved this simple and fresh recipe. I spiralized the zucchini and used fettuccine. The sauce was mild enough to please even my pickiest eaters. Thank you!
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed! xT
So good & tasty! Definitely will be adding it to my quick summer meals!
Thank you so so much! xT
This is UNBELIEVABLY GOOD for how simple it is. Highly recommend trying this and adding it to your rotating list! Thanks so much for sharing so many amazing recipes every week!
Hi there! Thank you so much for trying out the recipe! So glad you enjoyed it! xT
I have made this recipe a few times. Love its simplicity and great flavour. Thinking about changing up the cheeses for some variety – any suggestions?
That would be super yummy! Maybe some gruyere or burrata?
We loved this easy and delicious pasta dish! The manchego cheese and zucchini was a great combo!
So easy and tasty! Handy recipe for a meat-free dinner (aka ran out of meat and have a whole lot of zucchini to use up!)
Thank you so so much for trying out the recipe! So happy to hear that you enjoyed it! xT
Really enjoyed this recipe. Once you have your mise en place it’s a cinch to make (just have a few family members help grate the zucchini, grate the cheeses, and pick the herbs)! Added a bit of lemon zest to brighten the flavors even more. Excited for the leftovers!
Hey Selena! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed! Have a great day! xT
I had this recipe at my daughter’s house and it was great for a week night dinner. I also made it, but shredded the zucchini. I preferred her version with it chopped it seems to blended better.
Hey Judy! So glad you loved this recipe! xT
Can’t wait to make this tomorrow. My zucchini’s are a wide variety of sizes, do you have any idea how many pounds you used?
Hi Lindsey,
So sorry, I don’t. It doesn’t need to be exact for this recipe, I would just eyeball it and use what you see fit! I hope you love this dish, please let me know if I can help in any other way! xx
We had to sub the pecorino for shredded mozzarella, and we added a splash of cream. But oh my gosh! It was so delicious! It’s probably going to be a regular summer meal now, because we always grow zucchini and fresh herbs. My husband also made a bruschetta to go with it using up some of our garden tomatoes. My daughter, who is fairly picky with vegetables, called this “white zucchini mac n cheese.” Run, don’t walk, to this dinner. For real.
Hi Chelsea,
Happy Wednesday!!🫐🍒🍓 I’m so glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and your feedback! xT
Cooked this recipe for dinner and it’s so delicious! Perfect meal for a summer evening and quick and easy to make.
Hi Alethea,
Fantastic!! So glad to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it:)
Mmm mmm mm! This was a perfect way to use up the zucchini and squash I had in the fridge! It had the perfect amount of heat from the red pepper flakes. Even my picky boyfriend went back for seconds! Thanks Tieghan! 🙂
Hi Taylor,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this dish turned out well for you and appreciate you making it! xT
This was delicious and a big hit with the whole family!
Hi Ali,
Happy Sunday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, thanks so much for making it:)
Oh my GOSH! This recipe is my new favorite way to cook with zucchini, even if you don’t love zucchini you should try this recipe! So tasty and perfect for summer <3
Hi Ashley,
Happy Sunday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, thanks so much for making it:)
This was so great! Light, flavorful, a hit with the kids, and perfect for summer! Thank you!
Hi Whitney,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was a hit! xx