Simple Summer Pasta with Tomatoes, Zucchini and Basil
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A supper easy and very flavorful summer pasta dish that comes together in no time!
Author:
Recipe type: Pasta Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 5 TBSP. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small zucchini, cut into cubes
  • 1 lb. grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 12 oz. short pasta, (like farfalle, or, orecchiette), uncooked
  • ¾ tsp. sea salt
  • ¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper
  • ¼ tsp. dried Greek oregano
  • ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup Parmesan (or, Grana Padano cheese), grated
  • 4 oz. pearl Mozzarella balls, (or, the ciliegine)
  • ⅓ cups fresh basil, sliced, or, torn
  • --- extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
  1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.
  2. Place a large skillet over medium-hight heat.  Add the olive oil, the thinly sliced shallots and the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for a couple of minutes, until they get soft.  Then, add the zucchini and cook for a few more minutes, stirring often.
  3. When the water comes to a boil, add one TBSP. table salt to the pot and then add the pasta.  Cook until al dente, usually a bit less than the cooking time stated on the package.
  4. Add the halved tomatoes to the skillet and season everything with the salt, pepper, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes.  Cook until the tomatoes begin to soften and the zucchini gets some light color.
  5. Meanwhile the pasta should be ready.  Reserve half a cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta (you might need the hot water later to thin a bit the sauce).
  6. Transfer the drained pasta to the skillet with the vegetables and turn off the heat.
  7. Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese, toss, and taste for seasoning.  If necessary, add more seasoning and a little bit of the reserved water to thin out the sauce.
  8. Just before you are ready to serve, stir in the Mozzarella and the basil.  Drizzle some extra olive oil and serve at once!
Recipe by Marilena's Kitchen at https://marilenaskitchen.com/simple-summer-pasta-with-sauteed-tomatoes-zucchini-and-basil/