Making the Creamy Zucchini Bow-Tie Pasta is perfect for a weeknight meal or a lazy weekend lunch! It consists of farfalle pasta and grated zucchini in a creamy sauce made with cream, cheese, herbs, and spices.
Delicious and Creamy Zucchini Bow-Tie Pasta
This recipe is simple and easy to make with only a few ingredients! You do not need pasta sauce, and everything comes together with minimum effort. I have added grated zucchini to this bow-tie pasta recipe. Grated zucchini blends amazingly well with pasta, and a fussy eater will not even figure out the vegetables in this creamy pasta. However, you can easily customize this recipe and add more summer vegetables of choice. You can also add more or less dried or fresh herbs to this Creamy Zucchini Bow-Tie Pasta. This dish can also be served as a side dish with your mains or packed in kids’ lunch boxes. The pasta is highly flavorful, creamy, and rich, but the dish is not heavy at all. I have included the variations for herbs, spices, and vegetables in this post. Please continue reading to see how you can bring variations to this pasta dish.
How To Make Creamy Zucchini Bow-Tie Pasta
Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water according to the package instructions.
Then, reserve a cupful of starchy pasta water and drain the pasta. Remember to save the pasta water as it will be used in this dish. Do not rinse the pasta.
While pasta is cooking, add olive oil to a large nonstick frying pan and heat until slightly warm. Add grated zucchini, mix well, and cook on low-medium heat.
Cook the zucchini for about 5 minutes or until softened, stirring occasionally.
Add oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
Turn the heat low and add the cream. Cook for a minute or until the cream starts simmering.
When the cream is hot and starts bubbling, add cheese, drained pasta, and ½ cup of pasta water. Quickly mix until everything is well combined and the cheese is melted.
Season the pasta with salt and pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes or until heated, adding more pasta water if needed.
Adjust the seasonings if required, turn off the heat, and enjoy a delicious pasta dish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the pasta with your choice of toppings or garnishes. For example, you can top the pasta with fresh basil or more cheddar cheese. Sprinkle more red pepper flakes (if you like spicy pasta) or sumac before serving.
How To Store Creamy Zucchini Bow-Tie Pasta
Store the leftover pasta in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two days. While reheating, add a little milk or cream to loosen up the pasta.
Variations and Additions
Vegetables: You can add more vegetables to this creamy zucchini bow-tie pasta. Add chopped bell peppers, carrots, or celery. To accompany zucchini, add spinach and green peas. Bow-Tie Pasta: This recipe can be made with other types of pasta as well. If you do not have farfalle pasta, use penne, rotini, or Rrigatoni pasta. Olive Oil: Instead of olive oil, add butter for more flavor. Herbs: Instead of oregano and basil, you can add other dried herbs, such as parsley, thyme, or your choices of dried herbs. Red Pepper Flakes: Skip red pepper flakes if you do not want your pasta spicy. Or, instead of red pepper flakes, add finely chopped fresh red chili. Cream: Cream makes the pasta rich and creamy. But if you do not have cream, use whole milk and add 2 cups of cheese to make the dish richer and creamier. Seasonings: If you have Italian seasoning, you can add it to taste and skip the oregano and basil. Spices: Instead of red pepper flakes, you can add another type of spice. Such as red chili sauce, red chili powder, hot paprika, finely chopped chili, or cayenne pepper. Protein: To make the pasta more filling and satisfying, add chickpeas, green peas, or your choice of beans.
