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Lemon-Basil Zucchini Pasta Sauce_Hero Image

Lemon-Basil Zucchini Pasta Sauce

Zucchini and yellow onion are cooked over moderate heat to create a sauce that's loaded with rich zucchini flavor.
4.30 from 10 votes
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 4
Calories: 510kcal

Equipment

  • Wide pot
  • Skillet
  • Large pot
  • Colander

Ingredients

Zucchini pasta sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, peeled and diced
  • 2 pounds zucchini, trimmed and diced
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested, juice and zest kept separate
  • 1 ounce basil, minced, a few leaves reserved for garnish
  • 16 ounces dry pasta
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Zucchini chips:

  • 1/4 cup neutral oil
  • 1 zucchini, trimmed and sliced paper-thin
  • Salt

Instructions

Simmer the zucchini pasta sauce:

  • Heat the olive oil in a wide pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until just translucent. Add the diced zucchini and season with salt. Cook for 35–40 minutes over medium-low to medium heat. Stir occasionally. You don't want the zucchini to brown. Instead, you want the liquid to be released slowly and then evaporate to create a thick, jammy texture.

Cook the pasta:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta cooking water, drain the pasta, and set aside.

Prepare the zucchini chips:

  • Arrange the zucchini slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with salt. Place a paper towel on top and set aside for 15 minutes.

Fry the zucchini chips:

  • Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the zucchini slices dry thoroughly. Once the oil is hot, add the zucchini in batches, and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.

Finish the pasta sauce:

  • Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Add the lemon juice and the minced basil and cook for 3–4 minutes.
  • Add the pasta cooking water and turn the heat to medium-high. Once the sauce is bubbling, add the cooked pasta and toss to coat. Cook for 1 minute. Taste and season once more to your preferences. Turn off the heat.

To serve:

  • Divide the pasta between shallow bowls. Garnish with the reserved zucchini chips and lemon zest. Add a few basil leaves on top, if you like.

Nutrition

Calories: 510kcal | Carbohydrates: 96g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 30mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 11g