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Creamy Lemon Garlic Zucchini Pasta

A close-up shot of a bowl of creamy zucchini pasta topped with grated cheese and fresh herbs.
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Make this bright and light pasta dish featuring zucchini, lemon, and garlic for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 medium zucchini, spiralized or thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant; do not let the garlic brown.
  3. Add the zucchini to the skillet. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until the zucchini is slightly tender but still holds some shape.
  4. Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir to combine.
  5. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss well to coat.
  6. Stir in the Parmesan cheese. Add reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired creamy consistency.
  7. Season with salt and black pepper to your taste.
  8. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs.

Notes

  • If you prefer a low-carb option, substitute all the pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles (zoodles) and cook them for only 1-2 minutes to keep them crisp.
  • For an Italian Style Zucchini Pasta flavor, add 1/2 cup of halved cherry tomatoes when you add the zucchini.
  • If you do not have heavy cream, you can use half-and-half or a splash of milk, but the sauce will be thinner.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/zucchini-pasta-creamy-lemon-garlic-recipe/