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Creamy Lemon Zucchini Pasta Bake Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 72 reviews
  • Author: Sophie
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Creamy Lemon Zucchini Pasta Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender pasta with sautéed zucchini, a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce, and Parmesan cheese, baked until bubbly and golden. Perfect for a satisfying vegetarian meal that balances fresh garden flavors with rich creaminess.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Vegetables

  • 8 oz pasta of choice
  • 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish

  • Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare it for baking the pasta dish.
  2. Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  3. Sauté Zucchini and Garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the sliced zucchinis and minced garlic until they become tender and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Prepare Cream Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice, stirring well to create a creamy, tangy sauce.
  5. Combine Ingredients: In a baking dish, mix together the cooked pasta, sautéed zucchini and garlic, and the cream sauce. Stir thoroughly to ensure even coating.
  6. Season: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, folding it into the pasta mixture.
  7. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and has a golden crust.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving warm.

Notes

  • You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter dish, but the sauce may be less rich.
  • If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the zucchini and garlic.
  • Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
  • For extra texture, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top before baking.
  • Make sure not to overcook the pasta to keep it from becoming mushy after baking.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Creamy Lemon Zucchini Pasta Bake, baked pasta, zucchini pasta recipe, lemon pasta bake, vegetarian pasta bake

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Find it online: https://cookwithsophie.com/creamy-lemon-zucchini-pasta-bake-recipe/