Jester's Rainbow Pasta
A playful pasta dish featuring spiral-cut vegetables in a vibrant medley, served with a lemon-herb sauce that dances on the tongue. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 27 minutes pairs spiralized zucchini, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups spiralized zucchini
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper
- 8 oz pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add 8 oz pasta and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add 3 minced garlic cloves, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup cherry tomatoes (quartered), 1/2 cup sliced red bell pepper, and 1/2 cup sliced yellow bell pepper; cook for 4 minutes until peppers are crisp-tender and tomatoes begin to soften.
- Step 4: Toss in drained pasta, 2 cups spiralized zucchini, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/4 cup chopped basil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; cook for 2 more minutes until everything is heated through and coated in the vibrant sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Jester's Rainbow Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Jester's Rainbow Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spiralized zucchini from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Jester's Rainbow Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Jester's Rainbow Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Jester's Rainbow Pasta?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 12-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.