Creamy Zucchini Fettucine

fettucine tossed with zucchini in a rich cream sauce

This recipe is from Good and Cheap.

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Zucchini and summer squash are so abundant in the summer months. You start by sautéing the zucchini with garlic and chili flakes, then you add some lemon, cream and cheese and toss with the noodles. Creamy zucchini fettucine is like a lighter, brighter fettuccine alfredo. It also comes together in no time—the veggies will be ready by the time your pasta is cooked. You’ll love it, I promise.


fettucine tossed with zucchini in a rich cream sauce
Creamy Zucchini Fettucine
Print Recipe
This simple pasta is like a lighter, brighter fettuccine alfredo with zucchini.
Servings
2
Servings
2
fettucine tossed with zucchini in a rich cream sauce
Creamy Zucchini Fettucine
Print Recipe
This simple pasta is like a lighter, brighter fettuccine alfredo with zucchini.
Servings
2
Servings
2
Ingredients
  • 1/2 lb fettucine
  • 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
  • 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp chile flakes
  • 2 small zucchini finely diced
  • 1 lemon zested
  • 1/4 cup whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup Romano or Parmesan finely grated
  • Salt and pepper
  • fresh basil finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
  1. Bring a pot of water to boil over high heat. Salt the water liberally. This is how pasta gets salted, so don't be shy! Most won't end up in the pasta.
  2. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. I prefer my pasta with some bite, so I drain the pasta just before it's finished so it doesn't get mushy when I add it to the vegetable pan to cook slightly more.
  3. Meanwhile, melt a tablespoon of butter in a pan on medium heat. Add the garlic and chile flakes. Let them sizzle for 30 seconds to a minute, then add the zucchini. Stir the vegetables to coat them. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until some of the water has cooked off and the veggies are tender when stabbed with a fork. Young summer zucchini doesn't need much cooking. Add the lemon zest. Stir!
  4. Drain the cooked fettuccine and add it to the zucchini pan along with the rest of the butter, the cream, and most of the Romano cheese. Toss the fettuccine around the pan to get everything mixed. Add salt to taste and lots of freshly ground pepper. Top with a bit more cheese and serve immediately.

2 Comments

  • Kristin says:

    We tried this with the abundance of zucchini we had . . . and we LOVED it. My 16 year old daughter begged to make it again two days later as a side dish for our dinner. A big hit here! We have 11 kids and we’re on a tight budget. I only had to double this recipe – – – it was filling, especially when served with salads and other veggies from the garden. THANKS!

  • Jennifer says:

    Delicious summer pasta meal! I knew I’d love the flavors but my boyfriend wasn’t sure About the zucchini. Well, he went back for seconds AND my 4 year old dug it too. I grow parsley and basil, so I added both. Any summer vegetables would be yummy in this, and you could easily omit the cream for a variation.

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Leanne Brown

Hi, I'm Leanne Brown. I’m a bestselling cookbook author. I want to help you find peace, healing and freedom through cooking.

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Good and Cheap cover 2nd edition

Good and Cheap is a gorgeous cookbook for people with limited income, particularly on a $4/day food stamps budget. The PDF is free (ahora en Español!) and has been downloaded over 15,000,000 times. For more info, see All About Good and Cheap and Donation Impact.

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