Description
This Creamy Veggie Pasta is a delightful, easy-to-make dish that combines tender penne pasta with a medley of sautéed vegetables in a rich, creamy sauce. Enhanced with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, it makes a perfect comforting meal for vegetable lovers seeking a flavorful and satisfying pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they become soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Cook the vegetables: Add the sliced zucchini, chopped red bell pepper, and halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender but still vibrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Make the creamy sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese into the skillet with the vegetables. Continue cooking and stirring gently until the sauce thickens and coats the vegetables nicely, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to coat the pasta with the creamy vegetable sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the creamy veggie pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- To make this dish vegetarian, ensure the Parmesan cheese used is vegetarian-friendly or substitute with a vegetarian cheese.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms or spinach for variety.
- You can prepare the sauce ahead and simply toss with freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
