A Delicious and Creamy Pasta Dish With Zucchini and Walnuts

Summertime is zucchini time and it’s always good to look up new recipes that can help you make optimal use of this scrumptious vegetable. For a quick and delicious weeknight dinner, try out this easy pasta dish that’s full of flavor and quick to prepare. It’s creamy, cheesy, and a great way to get picky eaters to truly enjoy zucchini!

The Ingredients

To make 6-8 servings of this delicious dish, you will need:

● 4-5 zucchini (two pounds), grated coarsely
● A quarter-cup of olive oil
● Two and a half teaspoons of salt (divided)
● Half a teaspoon of grated black pepper
● One pound of dry rigatoni or penne pasta
● Three and one-quarter cups of water
● Six ounces of softened cream cheese
● A quarter of a cup of chopped roasted walnuts
● One zested and juiced lemon

Preparing the Zucchini

In a Dutch oven or using a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini, a teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of black pepper. Stirring occasionally, let the zucchini cook until the expelled liquid cooks off and you get caramelized zucchini in spreadable consistency. If you notice browning while cooking, lower the heat. Transfer the zucchini to a medium bowl. Set aside.