Fresh Garden Tomato Zucchini Pasta with Garlic and Basil | Flirt Recipes
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Fresh Garden Tomato Zucchini Pasta with Garlic and Basil

The ultimate summer pasta experience featuring fresh tomatoes, tender zucchini, and aromatic herbs in a light, flavorful sauce. This garden-fresh masterpiece combines the natural sweetness of ripe tomatoes with the delicate texture of zucchini, creating an unforgettable pasta dish that celebrates seasonal produce. Perfect for summer dining, weeknight dinners, or whenever you crave the perfect balance of fresh vegetables and comforting pasta, bringing Mediterranean-inspired flavors to your table with simple, wholesome ingredients.

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Fresh Garden Tomato Zucchini Pasta with Garlic and Basil - main view
Chef profile

JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Garden Fresh Pasta Mastery Secrets for Perfect Tomato Zucchini Combination

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Perfect Vegetable Cooking Mastery:
Master the technique of cooking zucchini and tomatoes to ideal tenderness while preserving texture.
Sauce Development Excellence:
Learn the skill of building flavorful vegetable sauce that coats pasta without being heavy.
Pasta Integration Perfection:
Perfect the method of combining pasta with sauce using starchy cooking water for ideal consistency.
Herb and Cheese Balance:
Master the art of incorporating fresh herbs and cheese for maximum flavor without overwhelming vegetables.
Timing Coordination Strategy:
Learn optimal timing to ensure pasta and vegetables finish cooking simultaneously for best results.
Fresh Garden Tomato Zucchini Pasta with Garlic and Basil - secondary view

The Art of Ultimate Fresh Garden Tomato Zucchini Pasta Perfection

Perfect Vegetable Cooking Mastery
Master the technique of cooking zucchini and tomatoes to ideal tenderness while preserving texture.
Sauce Development Excellence
Learn the skill of building flavorful vegetable sauce that coats pasta without being heavy.
Pasta Integration Perfection
Perfect the method of combining pasta with sauce using starchy cooking water for ideal consistency.
Herb and Cheese Balance
Master the art of incorporating fresh herbs and cheese for maximum flavor without overwhelming vegetables.
Timing Coordination Strategy
Learn optimal timing to ensure pasta and vegetables finish cooking simultaneously for best results.
Garden Fresh Pasta Mastery Secrets for Perfect Tomato Zucchini Combination
Zucchini Preparation: Don't overcook zucchini - it should be tender but still hold its shape.
Tomato Selection: Use ripe, in-season tomatoes for best flavor and natural sweetness.
Pasta Water: Reserve pasta cooking water for sauce consistency - the starch helps bind ingredients.
Herb Timing: Add delicate herbs at the end to preserve their fresh flavor and color.
Cheese Integration: Remove from heat before adding cheese to prevent sauce from becoming stringy.
Serving Temperature: Serve immediately while hot for best texture and flavor combination.
Fresh Garden Tomato Zucchini Pasta with Garlic and Basil - tertiary view

Fresh Garden Tomato Zucchini Pasta with Garlic and Basil

The ultimate summer pasta experience featuring fresh tomatoes, tender zucchini, and aromatic herbs in a light, flavorful sauce. This garden-fresh masterpiece combines the natural sweetness of ripe tomatoes with the delicate texture of zucchini, creating an unforgettable pasta dish that celebrates seasonal produce. Perfect for summer dining, weeknight dinners, or whenever you crave the perfect balance of fresh vegetables and comforting pasta, bringing Mediterranean-inspired flavors to your table with simple, wholesome ingredients.

Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini
Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
Chef
JUE
Category
Main Dish
Difficulty
Easy
Cuisine
Italian
Yield
4 servings
Dietary
Vegetarian, Mediterranean, Fresh Garden, Summer Recipe
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
0% Complete

Ingredients

Custard Cream
01
For the Pasta Base:
02
1 lb penne or rigatoni pasta
03
2 tablespoons salt for pasta water
04
1 tablespoon olive oil for water
05
For the Fresh Vegetables:
06
3 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
07
4 large ripe tomatoes, diced
08
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
09
4 cloves garlic, minced
10
For the Cooking Foundation:
11
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
12
2 tablespoons butter
13
1/2 cup dry white wine
14
For the Herb Blend:
15
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
16
2 tablespoons fresh oregano
17
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
18
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
19
For the Flavor Enhancers:
20
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
21
1 tablespoon tomato paste
22
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
23
1 teaspoon honey
24
For the Cheese Components:
25
1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
26
1/2 cup fresh mozzarella, cubed
27
1/4 cup ricotta cheese
28
For the Seasoning:
29
Salt and black pepper to taste
30
1 teaspoon garlic powder
31
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
32
For the Fresh Additions:
33
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
34
2 tablespoons capers, drained
35
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
36
For the Finishing Touches:
37
2 tablespoons lemon juice
38
1 tablespoon lemon zest
39
Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
40
For the Garnish:
41
Fresh basil leaves for serving
42
Additional Parmesan for topping
43
Cracked black pepper
44
For the Equipment:
45
Large pot for pasta
46
Large skillet or sauté pan
47
Colander for draining

Instructions

01
Bring large pot of salted water to rolling boil for cooking pasta perfectly.
02
Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente.
03
Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water before draining for sauce consistency.
04
Meanwhile, heat olive oil and butter in large skillet over medium heat.
05
Add sliced onion to hot oil and cook until softened and translucent throughout.
06
Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
07
Add zucchini slices to skillet and cook until just tender, about 5-6 minutes.
08
Season zucchini with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes for flavor enhancement.
09
Add diced tomatoes to skillet with tomato paste, stirring to combine thoroughly.
10
Pour white wine into skillet and let simmer until alcohol evaporates completely.
11
Add balsamic vinegar and honey to balance acidity and enhance flavor depth.
12
Cook tomato mixture until tomatoes break down and create chunky sauce consistency.
13
Stir in fresh herbs, reserving some basil for final garnish and presentation.
14
Add sun-dried tomatoes and capers for additional flavor complexity and texture.
15
Season sauce with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to taste.
16
Add drained pasta to skillet with vegetable sauce, tossing to combine evenly.
17
Add pasta cooking water gradually to achieve desired sauce consistency and coating.
18
Remove skillet from heat and add fresh mozzarella cubes, stirring gently until melted.
19
Fold in ricotta cheese for added creaminess without overwhelming fresh flavors.
20
Add half of grated Parmesan cheese, tossing until melted and well distributed.
21
Stir in toasted pine nuts for crunch and nutty flavor enhancement.
22
Add lemon juice and zest for bright, fresh finish that balances rich ingredients.
23
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.
24
Transfer pasta to serving bowls or large platter for family-style presentation.
25
Garnish with remaining fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan cheese generously.
26
Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and finish with cracked black pepper.
27
Serve immediately while pasta is hot and cheese is melted throughout.
28
Provide additional grated Parmesan and red pepper flakes at table for customization.