Pop Culture Pasta with Colorful Veggies
A vibrant, Instagram-worthy pasta dish inspired by Cha Cha Covers' pop culture nail decals, featuring bold colors and zesty flavors. This Italian-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs pasta, cherry tomatoes, zucchini into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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
- 12 oz, penne or fusilli pasta
- 1 pint, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium, diced zucchini
- 2 cups, fresh spinach
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup, grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 12 oz pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 pint cherry tomatoes, 1 diced zucchini, and 2 cups spinach. Cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 4: Toss 12 oz cooked pasta into the skillet. Stir in 1/2 cup grated parmesan and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Serve immediately.
