Home

Baked Pasta with Zucchini Cream

17/11/2023

I can guide you in preparing baked pasta with zucchini cream, a tasty variant that incorporates the delicate flavor of zucchini into a creamy base to dress the pasta. Here’s how to prepare the dish:

Ingredients

  • 350 g of short pasta (penne, rigatoni, fusilli, or whichever you prefer)
  • 4 medium zucchinis
  • 200 ml of cooking cream (or plant-based alternative if you prefer)
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • Nutmeg to taste (optional)
  • 100 g of grated cheese (Parmesan or pecorino)
  • Mozzarella, diced, as much as you like (optional)
  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
  2. Wash the zucchinis and cut them into rounds or cubes.
  3. In a large frying pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil and add the garlic clove, letting it brown.
  4. Remove the garlic and add the chopped zucchini, letting them cook until soft. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Once the zucchinis are cooked, remove them from the pan and blend them with an immersion blender, adding the cream until you get a smooth sauce. If you wish, you can add a pinch of nutmeg.
  6. Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water for about half the time indicated on the package so that it can finish cooking in the oven.
  7. Drain the pasta and mix it with the zucchini cream, stirring well to coat the pasta with the cream.
  8. Pour the mixture into a baking dish previously greased with a little oil or butter, and sprinkle with the grated cheese (and mozzarella cubes if you’re using them).
  9. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the surface becomes golden and crispy.
  10. Once cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Add fresh basil leaves for garnish if desired.

Curiosity

Baked pasta is a very versatile dish with numerous regional variations in Italy. Some versions include the addition of meat (such as sausage or minced meat) or other types of vegetables to enhance the flavor and texture of the dish. Zucchini cream is a lighter but equally tasty variant, perfect for those who love the delicate flavors of vegetables.

Enjoy your meal!