Zucchinimeatsaucewithpasta Recipes

PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil to a large saute pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute for about 5 minutes until softened but not completely translucent.
• Add the zucchini, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15 to 20 minutes more until the zucchini is very tender but not mushy.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Generously salt the water and add the pasta. Cook until al dente, reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
• Add the zucchini and onion mixture to a blender or food processor and add the ½ cup reserved pasta water, fresh basil, and cheese. Puree until smooth and adjust seasoning as needed. You should have about 3 ½ cups sauce.
• Mix about 3 cups of the zucchini sauce with the cooked pasta until well-coated, adding more sauce as needed.

LASAGNA WITH ZUCCHINI AND MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Cook meat, onions and peppers in large skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat 4 to 5 min. or until meat is browned and onions are crisp-tender. Add pasta sauce; mix well. Simmer on medium-low heat 20 min. or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, mix egg and ricotta in small bowl.
• Spread 1/4 of the meat sauce into bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Layer 3 lasagna noodles, 1/3 of the zucchini slices, 1/3 of the ricotta mixture and 1/4 of the meat sauce. Repeat layers 2 times; top with remaining noodles. Cover with foil.
• Bake 35 to 40 min. Uncover; sprinkle with Parmesan and mozzarella. Bake, uncovered, 10 min. or until cheese is melted.

LEMONY PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI AND FRESH HERBS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water (2 heaping tablespoons kosher salt to about 7 quarts water) to a boil. Add pasta and cook until it is just under al dente, 1 minute less than package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
• Meanwhile, prepare the zucchini or other squash: Season chunks with salt and pepper. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the squash in one layer (you may need to do this in two batches) and cook undisturbed until it begins to turn golden brown, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove from the pan and set aside. Taste and season again, if necessary.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan. Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook until the garlic becomes translucent, about 30 seconds. Add the squash back to the pan along with the lemon juice and half the lemon zest. Toss to combine.
• Add the pasta to the skillet, and toss to combine. Add 1/2 cup of the pasta water and the grated cheese, and toss until the cheese emulsifies and is silky. If needed, add an additional 1/4 cup pasta water or more to loosen. Add the fresh herbs and toss again. Top with additional herbs and the remaining lemon zest. Serve in bowls, and pass grated cheese at the table. Season with flaky salt, if desired.