Simple Summer Pasta With Tomatoes Zucchini And Basil Recipes

SUMMER GARDEN PASTA

Steps:

• Combine the cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, basil leaves, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature for about 4 hours.
• Just before you're ready to serve, bring a large pot of water with a splash of olive oil and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil and add the pasta. Cook al dente according to the directions on the package (be careful - it only takes 2 to 3 minutes!). Drain the pasta well and add to the bowl with the cherry tomatoes. Add the cheese and some extra fresh basil leaves and toss well. Serve in big bowls with extra cheese on each serving.

PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI, TOMATOES AND FRESH BASIL

Steps:

• Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons of salt.
• Heat olive oil in a 12 to 14-inch sauté pan. Add the zucchini & cook stirring occasional, until soft. Season lightly with salt. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant. Remove from the heat.
• Drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta and toss into the pan with the zucchini. Place the pan back on the heat. Add the tomatoes, season with salt, and cook about 1-2 minutes.
• Add pasta to the pan and stir to combine. Add basil and a splash of olive oil (just enough to lightly coat the pasta).
• Spoon into serving bowls and serve with grated parmesan cheese.

SUMMER PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI, RICOTTA AND BASIL

Steps:

• Put a pot of water on to boil. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onions in 3 tablespoons olive oil until softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat as necessary to keep onions from browning. Add zucchini, season generously with salt and pepper, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until rather soft, about 10 minutes. Turn off heat.
• Meanwhile, use a mortar and pestle to pound garlic, basil and a little salt into a rough paste (or use a mini food processor). Stir in 3 tablespoons olive oil.
• Salt the pasta water well and put in the pasta, stirring. Boil per package instructions but make sure to keep pasta quite al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of cooking water.
• Add cooked pasta to zucchini in skillet and turn heat to medium-high. Add 1/2 cup cooking water, then the ricotta, crushed red pepper and lemon zest, stirring to distribute. Check seasoning and adjust. Cook for 1 minute more. Mixture should look creamy. Add a little more pasta water if necessary. Add the basil paste and half the grated cheese and quickly stir to incorporate. Spoon pasta into warm soup plates and sprinkle with additional cheese. Serve immediately.

SIMPLE SUMMER PASTA WITH TOMATOES, ZUCCHINI AND BASIL

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.
• Place a large skillet over medium-hight heat. Add the olive oil, the thinly sliced shallots and the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for a couple of minutes, until they get soft. Then, add the zucchini and cook for a few more minutes, stirring often.
• When the water comes to a boil, add one TBSP. table salt to the pot and then add the pasta. Cook until al dente, usually a bit less than the cooking time stated on the package.
• Add the halved tomatoes to the skillet and season everything with the salt, pepper, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook until the tomatoes begin to soften and the zucchini gets some light color.
• Meanwhile the pasta should be ready. Reserve half a cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta (you might need the hot water later to thin a bit the sauce).
• Transfer the drained pasta to the skillet with the vegetables and turn off the heat.
• Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese, toss, and taste for seasoning. If necessary, add more seasoning and a little bit of the reserved water to thin out the sauce.
• Just before you are ready to serve, stir in the Mozzarella and the basil. Drizzle some extra olive oil and serve at once!

SUMMER ZUCCHINI PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and yellow squash; cook and stir until crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add tomatoes, basil, rosemary, salt and pepper flakes; heat through. Drain pasta; serve with zucchini mixture. If desired, top with additional basil.