Creamy Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Pasta is a light yet flavorful dish made with tender zucchini, fresh basil, garlic, and parmesan blended into a silky sauce. The zucchini and onion are sautéed until soft, then combined with broth, pasta water, lemon juice, and butter for a rich, balanced flavor. Blending the vegetables creates a creamy, nutrient-packed sauce that coats the pasta beautifully without the need for heavy cream. This recipe is quick to prepare, wholesome, and perfect for a fresh summer or weeknight meal.
I love zucchini. For more yummy zucchini recipes try my zucchini banana bread or my honey garlic zucchini.
If you're a pasta lover you need to try my sweet potato harissa pasta or my carrot feta pasta.
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Why you'll love this recipe
It is easy to make and ready in less than 40 minutes.
It can easily be made vegetarian or vegan.
Thanks to the beans, feta and bone broth this recipe has protein, fiber and healthy fats.
Ingredients for zucchini basil pasta
- Olive oil – Provides a base for sautéing vegetables and adds richness to the sauce.
- Onion – Adds a sweet, savory flavor foundation to the sauce as it cooks down.
- Zucchinis – Serve as the main vegetable, adding bulk, mild flavor, and a creamy texture when blended.
- Garlic – Enhances the flavor with a pungent, aromatic note that complements the basil and zucchini.
- Fresh chopped basil – Adds freshness and a bright, herbal flavor to balance the richness of the sauce.
- Bone broth or vegetable broth – Provides depth of flavor and helps thin the sauce to the desired consistency.
- Reserved pasta water – Contains starch from the pasta, which helps emulsify the sauce and bind it to the noodles.
- Grated parmesan – Adds umami, saltiness, and creaminess to the finished sauce.
- Lemon juice – Brightens the flavors and balances the richness of the parmesan and butter.
- Salt and pepper – Enhance and balance all the other flavors in the dish.
- Butter – Adds richness and a velvety texture to the sauce.
- Cooked pasta of choice – Serves as the base for the dish, carrying the creamy zucchini sauce.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions
- basil - parsley works as a substitute.
- butter - don't leave this out as it makes the sauce super creamy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step
Cook veggies.
Step 2
Blend together sauce.
Step 3
Toss with pasta and serve.
Storage instructions
You can store the extra pasta in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 4 days.
Recipe Pro-Tips
If you want to add more protein to this recipe use bone broth as your broth in this recipe.
If you want to make this recipe gluten free use your favorite gluten free pasta. I used Jovial foods which I love.
You can serve this recipe with any protein source. I have had it with both chicken sausage and chicken breast.
Recipe FAQS
Zucchini is low in calories and rich in vitamins A and C, antioxidants, fiber, and potassium, which support eye health, digestion, heart health, and overall inflammation reduction.
Parmesan is highly nutritious. It has probiotics, calcium and is high in protein.
While you can make this vegan, the sauce may come out less creamy as vegan parmesan is not the same as parmesan. I have a vegan zucchini pasta recipe here.
Other pasta recipes to try
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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Pasta
Equipment
- 1 blender
Ingredients
sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ onion
- 3 small zucchinis or 2 medium - cut into ~¼ inch thick half moons
- 4-8 cloves garlic - minced I used 8 cloves but I love garlic, adjust to your preference
- ⅓ cup fresh chopped basil
- ¼ cup bone broth or vegetable broth use code avocadoskillet for 20% off kettle and fire bone broth
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan
- juice from ¼ lemon
- salt/pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
Other ingredients
- 1 box cooked pasta of choice I used a 12 ounce box of jovial foods
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add zucchini along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add garlic and basil. Cook for another 5 minutes or until everything is cooked through and softened. I tossed all my veggies a few times to make sure everything was cooked through.
- Add all cooked veggies along with the rest of the ingredients until smooth. Taste and add more salt/pepper as needed. I added a pinch more salt but I like saltier food.
- Add cooked pasta along with sauce in the skillet and toss together. Divide out and serve.
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