4.9 from 57 votes
Lemon Zucchini Pasta
Lemon Zucchini Pasta blends al dente bowtie pasta with sautéed fresh zucchini, garlic, and thyme. The sauce incorporates butter, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese, producing a light yet rich pasta dish. Toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley provide a nutty crunch and herbal freshness as garnish.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
596 kcal
Course:
Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 pound bowtie pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups zucchini diced ¼” thick, fresh
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon thyme minced, fresh
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper or to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- lemon juice 1 tablespoon
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- parsley for garnish, fresh parsley, toasted pine nuts
- pine nuts for garnish, fresh parsley, toasted pine nuts
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the bowtie pasta until al dente, according to the package directions. Before draining in a colander, scoop out 1 cup of of the pasta water. Then set aside the pasta.
- In a large skillet, add the olive oil and heat for a minute over medium-high heat.
- Then add the zucchini and cool for 2 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Next, add the minced garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes. cook for another minute, stirring.
- Add in the butter, lemon juice, and ¼ cup of reserved pasta water and heat over medium heat until the butter has melted.
- Next add ¼ cup of parmesan cheese and stir it into the sauce. Add the cooked pasta back into the sauce and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve topped with additional parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and toasted pine nuts.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
- Other pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or macaroni can be substituted without changing the cooking process.
- If the sauce becomes too thin after reheating, add a splash of reserved pasta water or Parmesan cheese to thicken it back to desired consistency.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
596kcal
(30%)
Carbohydrates
88g
(29%)
Protein
20g
(40%)
Fat
18g
(28%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Trans Fat
0.2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
24mg
(8%)
Sodium
262mg
(11%)
Potassium
442mg
(9%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
495IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
12mg
(13%)
Calcium
189mg
(19%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 596
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 596kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 88g | 29% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 24mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 262mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 442mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 495IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 189mg | 19% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.