Zucchini mushroom pasta

Zucchini mushroom pasta is a simple and easy-to-make vegetarian pasta recipe that can be made within 35 minutes. Packed with flavors, this hearty pasta dish is a perfect easy weeknight dinner that everyone enjoys.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 482kcal

Author Vandana Chauhan

Equipment

1 large pot to cook pasta
1 larget pasta strainer
1 large pan or skillet
1 Spatula
Knife and chopping board

Ingredients

300 grams pasta
250 grams mushrooms sliced
1 medium zucchini diced
3-4 garlic cloves very finely chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley for garnishing
1.25 cups cream cheese
½ cup milk or as required to adjust the consistency of the sauce
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to taste
Ground black pepper to taste
Salt to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

Boil salted water in a large pot and cook pasta al dente following the package instructions. Once cooked, strain the pasta and reserve some pasta water.
Heat ½ a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet. Add sliced mushrooms and saute on medium-high heat until the moisture released by mushrooms dries up and they start turning golden brown. it will take around 7-8 minutes on high heat.
Transfer the sauteed mushrooms to a bowl.
Heat the remaining ½ a tablespoon of oil in the same pan. Add diced zucchini and saute on medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes or until the zucchini also starts turning brown.
Put the sauteed mushrooms back into the skillet.
Add chopped garlic, salt, red pepper flakes, and ground black pepper. Saute for a few seconds.
Add cream cheese and milk. Mix and cook for 2 minutes.
Finally, add pasta and gently toss.
Garnish with chopped parsley.

Video

Notes

Saute zucchini and mushrooms separately otherwise, if the pan gets crowded, mushrooms and zucchini will get steamed instead of getting sauteed.
Also, sautee the vegetables on high heat stirring frequently. They will get a very nice crispy texture if cooked like this.
Instead of cream cheese and milk, you can also add cream to make the cream sauce.
Reserve some pasta water before straining the pasta. Pasta water can be used to adjust the consistency of the pasta sauce.
You can add other vegetables of your choice and create more similar pasta recipes.
For a more refreshing flavor, add some fresh lemon juice and lemon zest once the pasta is ready.
Add some vegetarian parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast to add a stronger cheese flavor.
Vegans can make zucchini mushroom pasta sauce using tomatoes instead of cream cheese and milk.
More recipe tips, tricks, and variation suggestions are shared in the post above, please follow them to make this recipe.

Nutrition