Description
This Caramelized Zucchini and Sausage Pasta is a comforting weeknight dinner made with golden zucchini, savory chicken sausage, and creamy pasta tossed together in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
2 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
12 oz chicken or turkey sausage (casings removed)
12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water.
2. Slice zucchini into thin half-moons, pat dry, and season lightly with salt.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet, add zucchini, and cook until golden brown and caramelized, about 8–10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, cook sausage until browned and cooked through. Add onion and garlic, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Return zucchini to skillet, add pasta, Parmesan, and a splash of pasta water. Toss until creamy and well combined.
6. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Serve hot.
Notes
For vegetarian option, replace sausage with chickpeas or mushrooms.
Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version.
Best enjoyed immediately but can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Add burrata or ricotta on top for an indulgent twist.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Caramelized Zucchini and Sausage Pasta, zucchini pasta, chicken sausage pasta