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Pasta Zucchini and Cheese Cream

17/11/2023

Pasta with zucchini and cream cheese is a creamy and flavorful first course, a delicious way to enjoy the lightness of zucchini together with the richness of cheese. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 320 g of pasta (penne, spaghetti, or the pasta you prefer)
  • 2-3 medium zucchini
  • 200 g of cream cheese (like Philadelphia)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (to taste)
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • Fresh basil (optional)
  • Chopped walnuts (optional for garnish)

Preparation

  1. Wash the zucchini and cut them into rounds or sticks, depending on your preference.
  2. In a large pan, heat the oil with the whole garlic clove or finely chopped, depending on how much you want the garlic to dominate the dish.
  3. Add the cut zucchini and sauté over medium-high heat until they become soft and slightly golden. Season with salt and pepper during cooking.
  4. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in plenty of salted water following the cooking times indicated on the package to ensure an al dente texture.
  5. When the zucchini are cooked, lower the heat and add the cream cheese to the pan, stirring gently until you get a smooth cream.
  6. Drain the pasta and set aside some of the cooking water.
  7. Add the pasta directly to the pan with the zucchini and cheese cream. If necessary, add some of the pasta cooking water to make the cream smoother.
  8. Mix well to blend everything together, and let it flavor for a moment on low heat.
  9. Serve the pasta garnished with hand-torn fresh basil and, if you like, with a sprinkle of chopped walnuts for added crunch.
  10. Finish with a grating of fresh Parmesan cheese and a grinding of black pepper.

Curiosity

While cheese cream is a typical ingredient of international cuisine, in Italy it is common to use fresh and local products that can vary from region to region. For example, you might find pasta with zucchini and stracchino in Lombardy or with salted ricotta in Sicily. The personalization of the cheese leads to unique flavors linked to the territory.

Pasta zucchini and cream cheese