• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Crunchy Creamy Sweet

Easy Recipes for Busy Parents

  • All Recipes
  • Air Fryer
  • Asian
  • Dinner
  • Instant Pot
  • Dessert
  • About Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Pasta / Creamy Zucchini Pasta

    Creamy Zucchini Pasta

    Published: Jun 6, 2022 · Modified: Aug 27, 2022 by Anna 6 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Sharing is caring!

    96 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Creamy Zucchini Pasta is made with shredded zucchini, fettuccini pasta, and creamy Alfredo-like sauce. It's a fresh and delicious summer pasta dish that comes together in 20 minutes!

    A serving of fettuccine with zucchini sauce on a cream plate.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients:
    • How to make creamy zucchini pasta?
    • How to prepare zucchini for a pasta dish?
    • Recipe FAQs:
    • More pasta recipes:
    • Creamy Zucchini Pasta

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    This summer dish is officially on our weekly rotation this season. In fact, I am stocking up on zucchini and freezing it so I can make this dish any time of the year. It's quick, easy, and absolutely delicious! This creamy zucchini pasta features fettuccine pasta, shredded fresh zucchini, and a creamy Parmesan sauce that binds the two start ingredients into one creamy and flavorful dish.

    I enjoy zucchini in many forms. My zucchini soup with feta is always a hit, the zucchini fritters are delicious for lunch, and cheddar baked zucchini makes for an easy and delicious appetizer. If you are looking for a new way to enjoy zucchini, this creamy pasta dish is a must-try. Top it with crushed red pepper flakes for a little bit of heat and toasted Parmesan bread crumbs for crunch and texture. This dish will be in your summer menu rotation in no time!

    Ingredients:

    All ingredients for zucchini pasta dish on a gray board.
    • zucchini: fresh, shredded
    • pasta: fettuccini, spaghetti, linguine, bucatini, or any other long pasta
    • lemon: juiced and zested
    • Parmesan cheese: grate it from a block, do not use stuff from the green bottle
    • cream or half and half: necessary for the creamy sauce.

    How to make creamy zucchini pasta?

    • Start by shredding zucchini. Set aside.
    • Cook pasta according to the instructions on the package.
    • In a large pan, saute onion and garlic in olive oil.
    • Add zucchini and cook for 4 to 5 minutes.
    Sauteed onions and garlic in a pan, added shredded zucchini.
    • Add lemon zest and juice to the pan. Add cream and stir in. Bring to a simmer.
    • Add Parmesan cheese and stir in to melt.
    • Add pasta and toss to coat.
    • Serve pasta with crushed red pepper flakes and more Parmesan cheese.
    Cream and cooked fettuccine added to zucchini in pan.

    How to prepare zucchini for a pasta dish?

    As I am not a huge fan of zucchini noodles, I shredded zucchini and made it the star of the creamy sauce. If you are buying zucchini from the store, the skin can be waxy so I remove almost all of it. If you are using your home-grown zucchini from the garden, shred it with the skin. It will look beautiful! No need to squeeze the moisture out since it will evaporate during cooking and some will be the base for our sauce.

    Recipe FAQs:

    Can I add chicken to this dish?

    Absolutely! Cooked chicken (cook it in the pan first, then make the sauce), grilled chicken, and shredded chicken work great in this dish.

    Storing and reheating leftovers:

    I recommend storing any leftovers of this pasta in a container with a lid, in the fridge, for up to 4 days. To reheat, place it in a pan and add a splash of water or half and half. Stir until heated through. Pasta tends to soak up the sauce when it cools, so you need some liquid to bring back the creamy texture.

    Can I use other veggies to make this?

    Yes, use yellow squash, pumpkin, mushrooms, spinach, or a mix to make this dish. It will be delicious!

    Zucchini pasta in an enameled Le Creuset pan.

    More pasta recipes:

    • Square image of penne pasta with sausage and creamy sauce on a speckled plate with fork.
      Creamy Sausage Pasta
    • Pasta with ricotta in a skillet.
      Best Lemon Ricotta Pasta
    • Tortellini Alfredo in a pan.
      Tortellini Alfredo
    • Pasta with Boursin sauce on a plate.
      Creamy Boursin Pasta

    If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!

    A serving of fettuccine with zucchini sauce on a cream plate.

    Creamy Zucchini Pasta

    Author: Anna
    This Creamy Zucchini Pasta is made with shredded zucchini, fettuccini pasta, and creamy Alfredo-like sauce. It’s a fresh and delicious summer pasta dish that comes together in 20 minutes!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 564 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 large zucchini
    • 10 oz fettuccini pasta
    • 2 tablespoons of olive or grapeseed oil
    • ½ yellow onion chopped
    • 3 garlic cloves minced
    • ¾ cup heavy cream room temperature
    • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • 1 lemon for juice and zest
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional

    Instructions
     

    • Wash zucchini and remove skin, if desired. Grate it on the large hole side of the box grater. You should have 2 ½ to 3 cups of shredded zucchini. Set aside.
    • Cook fettuccini according to instructions on the box. I bring a big pot of water to a boil, salt it, then add pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
    • In a large pan, heat up oil. Add chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and saute for 2 to 3 minutes.
    • Add zucchini to pan and stir in. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes.
    • Add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice to the pan. Stir in. Simmer for 2 minutes.
    • Add cream to zucchini and stir in. Bring to a simmer.
    • Add Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir in to melt.
    • Add pasta water, a little bit at a time, until the sauce reaches desired consistency.
    • Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat.
    • Add more pasta water if needed.
    • Remove dish from heat. Season with salt and pepper.
    • Serve garnished with chopped parsley and crushed red pepper flakes.

    Notes

    • If you are buying zucchini from the store, the skin can be waxy so I remove almost all of it. If you are using your home-grown zucchini from the garden, shred it with the skin. It will look beautiful!
    • I recommend storing any leftovers of this pasta in a container with a lid, in the fridge, for up to 4 days.
    • To reheat, place it in a pan and add a splash of water or half and half. Stir until heated through. Pasta tends to soak up the sauce when it cools, so you need some liquid to bring back the creamy texture.
    • Fettuccini, spaghetti, linguine, bucatini, or any other long pasta works in this recipe.
    • Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use a calorie counter you are familiar with.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 564kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 544mg | Potassium: 437mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 950IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 188mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

    More Pasta Recipes

    • Square image of pasta with chicken and broccoli on a cream plate.
      Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
    • Square image of gnocchi with tomato sauce in a Dutch oven.
      Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce
    • Pasta with broccoli in an orange pan.
      Easy Broccoli Pasta
    • Pasta with tomatoes in a pan.
      Quick Cherry Tomato Pasta

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Jennifer says

      June 09, 2022 at 5:53 pm

      5 stars
      This dish was sooo creamy and delicious!! Definitely a new favorite over here!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        June 12, 2022 at 5:16 pm

        Yay! Thank you, Jennifer!

        Reply
    2. Renee T says

      June 09, 2022 at 5:50 am

      5 stars
      Creamy and delicious comfort food. I will definitely make this again!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        June 12, 2022 at 5:16 pm

        I am so glad! Thank you, Renee!

        Reply
    3. Kristyn says

      June 08, 2022 at 10:04 pm

      5 stars
      Ok, this pasta is creamy & delicious!! What a great use of zucchini! Even my kids eat it!!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        June 12, 2022 at 5:17 pm

        I am so glad it was a hit! Thanks, Kristyn!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Crunchy Creamy Sweet Anna

    Hi, I'm Anna! Thank you for stopping by! Here you will find easy and delicious recipes for busy people. My recipes are made with everyday ingredients and all of them are family approved!

    More about me →

    Easy Dinners

    • Square image of chicken in teriyaki sauce, rice and broccoli in a white bowl.
      Quick Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls Recipe
    • Asian chicken on rice.
      Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe
    • Square image of creamy garlic chicken in a skillet.
      Creamy Garlic Chicken
    • Lemon garlic chicken in a skillet.
      Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe
    • Chicken in mushroom garlic sauce in pan.
      Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken
    • Beef noodle casserole in a baking dish.
      Cheesy Beef Noodle Casserole

    Popular Recipes

    • Cooked shrimp on a white plate.
      Air Fryer Shrimp
    • Square image of four Russet potatoes on a rack in the Instant Pot pressure cooker.
      Instant Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe
    • Noodles with peanut sauce and green onions in a white bowl with chopsticks.
      Thai Peanut Noodles Recipe
    • Square image of chicken nuggets with parsley on a white plate.
      Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
    • BLT Pasta Salad in large glass bowl.
      BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
    • KFC Coleslaw in a white serving bowl.
      KFC Coleslaw Copycat Recipe

    Featured in

    Logos of publications like yahoo, Parade magazine, MSN.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Crunchy Creamy Sweet All rights reserved.

    © Copyright 2023 - Crunchy Creamy Sweet - Privacy Policy