Whole Grain Pasta with Zucchini, Tomatoes & Basil
Yield 4
Whole Grain Pasta with Zucchini, Tomatoes & Basil
Enjoy this super simple summery meal of whole wheat pasta and zucchini with tomatoes, basil full of fresh flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 12-ounce box whole grain penne or rotini pasta
- 4 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 large cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 small zucchini, diced
- 2 yellow squash, diced
- Pinch of salt
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 12-15 basil leaves, torn into strips
- ½ - 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt to taste
Directions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Add the pasta to the pot and cook according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, prep the vegetables and cheese. Peel and chop the garlic. Dice the zucchini and squash, then sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Tear basil into strips. Cut the tomatoes in half. Grate the cheese.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. (Be careful not to burn the garlic, which can happen quickly.)
- Add zucchini and squash to the skillet and saute for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Add cherry tomatoes to the skillet and saute until skins are slightly blistered and tomatoes are heated through, about 3 - 4 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the vegetables.
- Toss with the basil and the Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Variations to Try
- Try summer squash instead of zucchini or a combination.
- Add chopped grilled or roasted chicken
Something to Chew On
- How many different cultures eat pasta as a staple?
- How many different types of tomatoes do you think there are?
- Are tomatoes a fruit or a vegetable?
Nutritional information is approximate guide only, calculated using an online nutrition calculator. The facts are based on one pancake using one tbsp of mixture. Yields about 12 -15 pancakes.