Sautéed Zucchini and Tomato Pasta with Garlic and Basil

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A light Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring fresh zucchini and tomatoes sautéed with garlic and fresh basil for a vibrant summer meal. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 diced medium zucchinis (1/2-inch cubes) to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until tender and slightly caramelized.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes and cook for another 3 minutes until the tomatoes soften and release their juices.
  5. Step 5: Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss gently for 1-2 minutes until everything is combined and the sauce coats the pasta.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese over the top before serving.

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