This quick, easy, and healthy Zucchini Ribbons & Pasta with Creamy Lemon-Basil Sauce is a delicious way to add veggies to a family favorite dish. You’ll love the fresh Italian flavors!
I was lucky enough to get an early copy of the latest cookbook from the amazing ladies at www.OurBestBites.com – 400 Calories or Less with Our Best Bites!! You guys, this cookbook is awesome!! I’ve already tried 5 of the recipes and my family has LOVED every single one!
Last week I shared their Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Apples {yum!!} and I am so excited to share another one of their awesome recipes with you today. This recipe for Zucchini Ribbons & Pasta with Creamy Lemon-Basil Sauce was huge hit with my entire family!
Mixing together whole wheat pasta and the thin zucchini ribbons is a great way to add veggies without your family even noticing. It’s also a great transition to trying the new veggie “pasta” trend. If you’re not quite there yet, you can definitely make this recipe using just whole wheat pasta. Next time I think I’ll try it using just the zucchini ribbons. I’ve got one of these Vegetable Spiralizers on my wish list, but you can also do what I did and just cut them thinly by hand.
Either way, definitely give this delicious recipe a try! You’ll love the fresh flavors and the creamy sauce!
- 8 ounces 100% whole wheat pasta noodles
- 1 medium zucchini
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- 10 ounces grape tomatoes (about 2 cups)
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- 3-4 cloves finely minced garlic
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- 3½ ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cups loosely packed fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, more if desired
- Start cooking pasta according to package instructions. While the water is boiling, prepare the zucchini ribbons, you'll be adding them for the last few minutes of the pasta's cooking time. You can either use a Vegetable Spiralizer tool, or just cut the along the length into ⅛-inch slices and then cut each of those slices into long ribbons the same thickness as the pasta. Set the ribbons aside until the last 2 minutes of the pasta's cooking time.
- Heat a medium-sized skillet to medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon olive oil. Add tomatoes and a dash of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 3-4 minutes, until tomatoes start to burst and look blistered. Remove tomatoes from pan and put in a small dish. Cover and set aside.
- Add remaining olive oil to the empty pan and add garlic. Stir constantly on medium-low heat for about 30 seconds. Add vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and use a spatula to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 1-2 minutes and then reduce heat to low.
- Put cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl and soften for 20-30 seconds, until it can easily be stirred smooth. Ladle a couple of spoonfuls of the broth mixture into the cream cheese and stir to combine. Once the mixture is smooth, add it to the pan with the remaining broth mixture and whisk until smooth and creamy.
- Add parmesan cheese, chopped basil, and lemon juice, and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add extra lemon juice if you want.
- When pasta is just about done, add the zucchini strips to the pot and boil for 2 more minutes, or until zucchini is tender and pasta is done. Drain the zucchini and pasta together and combine with sauce. Gently toss in tomatoes, or add them on top of each serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil. Enjoy!
1. 400 Calories or Less with Our Best Bites: Absolutely everything I’ve tried in this cookbook is delicious!! It is full of simple, healthy, light, fresh, delicious recipes. I’d say it is a must have in any healthy kitchen.
2. Spiral Slicer – Spiralizer – Zucchini Pasta Maker: This kitchen gadget is on my wish list. I’m totally loving the vegetable pasta trend and one of these would make cutting those zucchini ribbons so much quicker and easier!
3. 100% Whole Wheat Pasta: This was one of the healthy real food changes that was super easy for my family. No one even seemed to notice when I made the switch. Just be careful to look for 100% whole wheat. Lots of brands will say “100% whole grain,” but that isn’t the same thing, so check the label and the ingredient list carefully.
Looking for more healthy real food recipes?
Easy One Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
Wild Rice & Chicken Salad
100% Whole Wheat Pizza Crust
10 Minute Taco Soup
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