• About
    • About Me
      • resources for a simple blog
    • Work with Me
  • Recipe Index
    • Purees
    • Brunch
    • Dessert
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Lunch
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
  • Disclosures
  • Subscribe
  • The Beginners Guide to Simple Meal Planning

Simple Gray T-Shirt

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes

Easy, Creamy Zucchini Pasta

Modified: Jan 25, 2025 · Published: Jun 2, 2024 by Marni Katz · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Jump to Recipe
pin for pinterest

Raise your hand if you maybe planted one too many zucchini plants and now have waaay too many zucchinis to know what to do with them all? 🙋‍♀️ Anyone else? I’m so glad it’s not just me!  Every year, I get a little over ambitious in my garden and come August, have so many zucchinis ready at the same time.  And that’s when I like to get creative. 

This creamy zucchini pasta recipe was inspired by the extra zucchini’s and my lemon garlic pasta recipe.  After testing the recipe multiple times and then getting the approval of my 3 kiddos, I knew I had struck gold.  With just 7 ingredients and a 30 minute cook time, this recipe is quickly becoming a new summer favorite.

creamy zucchini pasta on a plate with cheese and zucchini slices decorating table

And if you find me in my kitchen eating this pasta dish out of the pan, with zucchini muffins in the oven, and a zucchini quiche ready to go in…please don’t judge 😉, I just loved my garden a little bit extra this year.

Ingredients

ingredients for zucchini pasta

Ingredient Notes

  • Zucchini: Also known as courgettes, you’ll want to find ones that are green and firm.  They come in all different sizes, but 3-4 small to medium sized zucchinis will work.
  • Onion & Garlic: You can definitely use fresh or can lean on the frozen herb cubes.
  • Pasta Water: This is what really makes the dish come together.  Save the water from boiling your pasta. The starch that comes off the pasta and into the water helps emulsify the creamy zucchini pasta sauce.

Step by Step directions

Add the olive oil to a saucepan over medium heat.  When the olive oil is hot, add the zucchini and onions and cook until soft and almost translucent.  This will take about 10 minutes.  Then add the garlic and cook for another minute or two.

vegetables cooking in a saute pan with a wooden spoon

While the zucchini and onions are cooking, bring the pasta water to a boil and add your pasta.  Cook according to package directions. Drain the pasta, reserving the pasta cooking water.

pasta in a pot with boiling water

To the softened vegetables, add the heavy cream, basil leaves and salt.  Stir to combine and then simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring a few times.

heavy cream and cheese being added to sauteed zucchini

Add ½ cup of the pasta water to the zucchini and cream mixture and mix it well.  With an immersion blender, blend the sauce until it’s nice and creamy. 

blended zucchini pasta sauce in the pan

Then, once blended add in the grated Parmesan cheese, stir and then add in the cooked pasta. Stir again until everything is incorporated and the Parmesan has melted into the sauce.

spaghetti noodles being added to the zucchini sauce

Serve and enjoy…can garnish with extra basil leaves or just serve to your hungry crew!

Best Pasta Shape for Pasta con Zucchini 

Sorry, was feeling a little Italian for a minute...

I love using a long pasta for this recipe. Spaghetti, fettuccine, and linguine are all great options and the ones I turn to most often. 

If your pantry is stocked with other pastas, then go for it and use those.  In a pinch I would use cavatappi or shells.  I would save the tubular pasta for pink sauce penne or tomato basil pasta.

Storage and Reheating Tips

You can store this pasta dish in the fridge for up to 4 days.  I would not recommend freezing it.

To reheat a creamy pasta dish like this one, I recommend doing it on the stovetop with a little bit of added cream or broth to help retain the creaminess as it heats through. Once warmed, be sure to stir it up well, and then enjoy!

Additions and Swaps

While this dish is awesome on its own, here are a few ideas to add to it for an even more “complete” meal.

  • Add charred corn for a little color and sweetness.
  • Shredded rotisserie chicken is a quick way to add a protein to the pasta dish.
  • Flake Pesto Salmon and stir it in at the end.  Not only is it a great added protein but it’s a real bump in the basil flavor from the pesto.
  • Make it vegan: swap the heavy cream for coconut cream or cashew cream.

Other Summer Pastas you’ll love

I know pasta dishes are often thought of as heavy and for the fall and winter, but try out these other summer pasta dishes that we love!  They are light, made on the stove top and the perfect addition to your summer dinner rotation:

  • Pasta pangratatto with a fried egg
  • One Pot Pasta primavera
  • Lemon and garlic pasta

Did you try this recipe and and love it? 😍 Let me know by leaving a comment below or 5 ⭐ rating!

And make sure to sign up for my newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more simple recipes! Remember to tag us on social channels when you make a recipe at #simplegraytshirt! I 💖 seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!

📖 Recipe

spaghetti noodles with creamy zucchini sauce on a plate

Easy, Creamy Zucchini Pasta

Marni Katz
This Creamy Zucchini Pasta dish is loaded with zucchini that turns into a creamy sauce that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. It’s perfect for those hectic weeknights when you want something tasty but have just 30 minutes to get something on the table. And bonus, it's a great way to sneak in some veggies and satisfy the whole family!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Dinner, pasta
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Large Saute Pan
  • Immersion Blender

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb long pasta spaghetti and fettuccine work best
  • 4 TB olive oil
  • 3 cups zucchini diced (3-4 medium sized zucchini)
  • 1 small onion sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced (or two frozen garlic cubes)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup pasta water reserved from the cooked pasta
  • ¼ cup fresh chopped basil or 3 frozen basil cubes
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Add the olive oil to a saucepan and heat over medium.  When the olive oil is hot, add the zucchini and onions and cook until soft and almost translucent.  This will take about 10 minutes.  Then add the garlic and cook for another minute or two.
  • While the zucchini and onions are cooking, bring the pasta water to a boil and add your pasta.  Cook according to package directions.
  • To the softened vegetables, add the heavy cream, basil leaves and salt.  Stir to combine and then simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring a few times.
  • Drain the pasta, reserving the pasta cooking water.
  • Add ½ cup of the pasta water to the zucchini and cream mixture and mix it well.  Blend the sauce until it’s nice and creamy with an immersion blender.  Once blended add in the grated Parmesan cheese, stir and then add in the cooked pasta.
  • Stir again until everything is incorporated and the Parmesan has melted into the sauce.
  • Serve and enjoy…can garnish with extra basil leave if you want to be fancy.

Notes

  • I highly recommend using a long pasta shape for this dish.  Think spaghetti, fettucine, even angel hair pasta will work.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.  I don't recommend freezing this dish.
  • Don't have fresh basil on hand, don't worry...a frozen cube will work just as well.
Keyword 30 minute meal, zucchini pasta
Tried this recipe?Let me know what you think!

More Recipes

  • spinach puree in a mason jar
    10 Minute Spinach Puree (For Babies)
  • 6-Ingredient Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • artichoke baked pasta in a baking dish
    6-Ingredient Artichoke Pasta Bake (No Spinach Needed!)
  • funfetti dip in a glass bowl with sprinkles surrounded by dipping options
    4-Ingredient Funfetti Dip (from a cake mix)

About Marni Katz

Marni Katz is the recipe developer, photographer and writer behind Simple Gray T-Shirt. She wants to help people keep things simple in the kitchen. With simple recipes, easy menu ideas and plenty of tips and tricks along the way, she wants getting a meal on the table to be as simple as putting on your favorite gray tee!
"I want to inspire you to get back in the kitchen and do this, because you can!"

Comments

  1. Marni Katz says

    June 21, 2024 at 12:24 pm

    5 stars
    So easy to make and so delicious! Can't wait till the garden is full of zucchini.

    Reply
5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I'm so glad your here!

As a busy mom of three, I believe in keeping recipes simple. 7-ingredients or less is my goal, and everything is kid-tested and approved!

More about me

Most Popular Recipes

  • slice of pudding pie on a plate with whip cream and a fork
    Vanilla Pudding Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
  • vanilla mouse in a glass jar with a graham cracker
    2 Ingredient Vanilla Mousse (aka Whipped Pudding)
  • chocolate pudding pie with a slice removed, garnished with crushed oreos
    No Bake Chocolate Pudding Pie
  • three ingredient garlic butter sauce in a mason jar with cloves of garlic
    3-Ingredient Garlic Butter Sauce

12 Months - Dinner Done E-Book

Grab this printable e-book and get 12 months of dinner ideas and 52 weekly theme ideas, with video tutorial bonus and other great extras!

grab your copy now!

As Seen In

as featured in with logos from media features

Footer

↑ back to top
12 months dinner done pin

Don't know what to make for dinner?

Get my 12 Months - Dinner Done eBook!

12 months of dinner ideas done for you AND an easy to use method for creating dinner menus your family will LOVE!

Grab it here!

Details

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Stay In Touch

  • Sign Up! for emails
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

About

  • About
  • FAQ
  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Foodie Pro on the Feast Plugin

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.