Living Room Pasta with Roasted Veggies
A cozy pasta dish featuring creamy tomato sauce and roasted vegetables, named after the 'Living Room' furniture category for a warm, inviting meal. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs Spaghetti, medium Zucchini, Red onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 425 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
- 8 oz Spaghetti
- 2 medium Zucchini
- 1 Red onion
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 can (15 oz) Canned crushed tomatoes
- 3 Garlic clove
- 1/4 cup Fresh basil
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Slice zucchini into 1/2-inch thick rounds and cut red onion into 1/2-inch wedges. Toss vegetables with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes until edges are golden and tender.
- Step 2: While vegetables roast, cook spaghetti in a large pot of heavily salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 3: In a large skillet, heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic (3 cloves) and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in crushed tomatoes, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 8 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Add drained pasta and roasted vegetables to the skillet, tossing to coat. Stir in 2 tbsp reserved pasta water and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Cook for 2 minutes until sauce clings to pasta. Serve topped with 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and extra basil.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Living Room Pasta with Roasted Veggies take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Living Room Pasta with Roasted Veggies?
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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Living Room Pasta with Roasted Veggies?
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 Living Room Pasta with Roasted Veggies 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.
Is Living Room Pasta with Roasted Veggies vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better pasta dishes though.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
