Sautéed Zucchini and Cherry Tomato Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-05 · Updated 2026-07-05

A simple, vibrant pasta dish with sautéed zucchini and sweet cherry tomatoes tossed in garlic olive oil and fresh basil. This Italian pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti pasta, olive oil, and garlic cloves, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 420 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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 spaghetti pasta
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 medium zucchini, cut into half-moons
• 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• to taste black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 4 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Add 2 medium zucchini cut into half-moons to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender and slightly golden.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes and 1 tsp kosher salt. Cook for 3 minutes until tomatoes soften and release juices.
5. Step 5: Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss to combine and coat the pasta with the sauce.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Season with black pepper to taste and serve immediately.