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Home ยป Main Dish ยป Pasta

Quick and Easy Zucchini Pesto Pasta

Published: Nov 10, 2020 by Sandhya ยท This post may contain affiliate links

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Zucchini Pesto Pasta has become our family favorite quick and easy dinner recipe. It is made with whole wheat pasta, garden fresh basil pesto and roasted / grilled onions and zucchini and takes just about 30 minutes from start to finish.

zucchini pesto pasta in a yellow bowl garnished with fresh basil

It's end of summer and our basil is going strong. I have been harvesting tons of basil and making endless amount of our favorite pesto sauce. This delicious pesto pasta with zucchini has become one of our favorite recipes.

The Quick and Easy Zucchini Pesto Pasta is perfect for weeknight dinner or a quick lunch.

I have been making a lot of pesto this summer. I have frozen quite a bit of pesto this year to use for later. Anytime I make a batch of pesto, I use some and then freeze the rest.

I have experimented with making pesto sauce with different nuts and one of our favorite so far has been pesto make with pecans. I use this recipe to make the traditional Pesto Sauce.

Instead of using pine nuts, I have used toasted pecans and the pesto tastes amazing. Do try different combinations and choose what you like the best.

I have joined my beloved Blogging Marathon group with my new blog and this is my first recipe along with the group. My theme this week is going to be easy dinner recipes. This Zucchini pesto pasta is my first recipe under the theme.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients laid out and labelled for zucchini pesto pasta

Pasta - I have used while wheat pasta in the recipe. It is one of my favorite to use because of its nutty flavor. I have used Penne Pasta, but we could use any shape.

Pesto - Freshly made pesto or store bought pesto, both works for the recipe. I have used my homemade pesto sauce made with fresh basil and pecans for this recipe.

Zucchini - I have used thinly sliced zucchini in this Pesto Pasta recipe.

Onion - Caramelized onions tastes great in this Zucchini Pesto Pasta recipe.

Cheese - Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (parmesan cheese) is what I used in this recipe.

Crushed red pepper - This is optional but our taste buds need some heat and crushed red peppers does the trick for us.

Salt and oil - Use salt as needed when boiling pasta and a good quality olive oil to caramelize the vegetables.

Step by Step Process

Boil the pasta based on the package instructions. Add salt when boiling the pasta. Drain it and keep it aside.

Pasta boiling in a pot of water

Heat a heavy bottom pan or a cast iron pan and add olive oil. Add sliced onions and caramelize it. Add salt and pepper when cooking the onions.

Remove the cooked onions in a bowl.

In the same pan, add more oil and cook the sliced zucchini. Add salt and pepper when cooking and remove it along with the onions.

Onions and zucchini cooking in a cast iron pan

Once the pasta is cooked, return it to the same pot and add the pesto sauce. Mix well to coat the pasta with sauce.

Add the onions and zucchini to the pasta and gently combine.

Add cheese and adjust the salt and pepper, if needed.

Process shot to make zucchini pesto pasta

Serve Quick and Easy Zucchini Pesto Pasta hot garnished with fresh basil leaves and more cheese!

Pasta with zucchini in a yellow bowl with a drink in the background.

Expert tips and FAQ's

  • Cook the pasta adding adequate salt and cook till only till al dente. Don't over cook the pasta.
  • Mix the onion and zucchini at the end to keep the texture of the vegetables intact.
  • Cheese is optional, but I would highly recommend using it. Cheese makes everything tastes better.
  • We can add more vegetables like bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and so on.
2 bowls of pasta with drinks
Zucchini pesto pasta in a yellow bowl

Zucchini Pesto Pasta

Sandhya Ramakrishnan
Zucchini Pesto Pasta has become our family favorite quick and easy dinner recipe. It is made with whole wheat pasta, garden fresh basil pesto and roasted / grilled onions and zucchini.
5 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 9 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 29 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 616 kcal

Equipment

  • Cast iron skillet
  • Pot

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz Whole grain pasta I used Penne
  • 1 cup Pesto I used Basil and pecan pesto
  • 1 Zucchini sliced (about 1 ยฝ cups)
  • 1 Onion sliced (about 1 cup)
  • ยผ cup Parmesan cheese Add more or less based on your preference
  • 1 tablespoon Crushed red pepper adjust based on spice preference
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil Divided
  • to taste Salt

Instructions
 

  • Heat a heavy bottom pan or a cast iron pan and add 1 /2 tablespoon of olive oil. Add sliced onions and caramelize it. Add salt and pepper when cooking the onions.
  • Remove the cooked onions in a bowl.
  • In the same pan, add the remaining oil and cook the sliced zucchini. Add salt and pepper when cooking and remove it along with the onions.
  • Boil the pasta based on the package instructions. Add salt when boiling the pasta. Drain it and keep it aside.
  • Once the pasta is cooked, return it to the same pot and add the pesto sauce. Mix well to coat the pasta with sauce.
  • Add the onions and zucchini to the pasta and gently combine.
  • Add cheese and adjust the salt and pepper, if needed.
  • Serve hot!

Notes

Expert Tips and FAQ's
  • Cook the pasta adding adequate salt and cook till only till al dente. Don't over cook the pasta.
  • Mix the onion and zucchini at the end to keep the texture of the vegetables intact.
  • Cheese is optional, but I would highly recommend using it. Cheese makes everything tastes better.
  • We can add more vegetables like bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and so on.

Nutrition

Calories: 616kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 19gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 725mgPotassium: 390mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1990IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 229mgIron: 4mg
Keyword How to make Pesto Pasta, Pesto pasta with zucchini, Summer pesto pasta, Vegetarian Pesto pasta
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Post Views: 2,462

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carrie Robinson

    November 10, 2020 at 6:02 pm

    5 stars
    I just love easy dinner ideas like this! Looks delicious. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Sandhya

      November 10, 2020 at 8:05 pm

      Thanks a lot Carrie!

      Reply
  2. Traci

    November 10, 2020 at 7:25 pm

    5 stars
    What an easy, healthy, delicious meal. I love the flavors and textures. We can eat this any night of the week. Thanks for another winner!

    Reply
    • Sandhya

      November 10, 2020 at 8:07 pm

      Thanks! Absolutely, this is a quick fix for weeknight dinners.

      Reply
  3. Irina

    November 10, 2020 at 7:28 pm

    5 stars
    I am falling in love with this 30-minutes meal! What could be better? I will give it a try tonight; then, I will share the recipe with my sister. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Sandhya

      November 10, 2020 at 8:07 pm

      I am with you! Recipes like this are the best!

      Reply
  4. Jenn

    November 10, 2020 at 7:41 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so easy, but still delicious and nutritious! I love that I can serve it to my kids and sneak them some extra veggies! Can't wait to try this!

    Reply
    • Sandhya

      November 10, 2020 at 8:08 pm

      Thanks Jenn! Absolutely. This is a hit with kids.

      Reply
  5. Noelle Simpson

    November 10, 2020 at 7:49 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! This was perfect for dinner, big hit with my family! Thanks for sharing ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Sandhya

      November 10, 2020 at 8:08 pm

      Thanks a lot Noelle!

      Reply
  6. Sharmila Kingsly

    November 11, 2020 at 5:03 am

    5 stars
    Yummy Pasta with the goodness of Zucchini and Pesto!! Absolutely loved it !!

    Reply
    • Sandhya

      November 12, 2020 at 4:41 am

      Thank you Sharmila!

      Reply
  7. Padmajha V

    November 15, 2020 at 9:10 am

    5 stars
    This is such an easy breezy meal! Simple flavors and I'm sure my kids will enjoy this dish.

    Reply
    • Sandhya

      November 15, 2020 at 4:10 pm

      Thanks Padmajha! It is a very easy one and quick to put together.

      Reply
  8. Harini Rupanagudi

    November 16, 2020 at 8:11 pm

    5 stars
    My kids will love this for dinner anyday. I haven't tried pesto with pecans. That is a good idea to try next time.

    Reply
    • Sandhya

      November 17, 2020 at 1:15 am

      Pecan pesto is delicious. I use any kind of nuts I have to make my pesto!

      Reply
  9. Suma Gandlur

    December 10, 2020 at 12:29 am

    Pesto pastas are flavorful and quick to whip up.

    Reply

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