Creamy Zucchini Pasta (Printable Recipe)

Vegan creamy zucchini pasta with basil and lemony pistachio breadcrumbs. Quick and perfect for summer dinners.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 pound uncooked pasta
02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 4 cups zucchini, roughly chopped (about 2 to 3 medium zucchini)
04 - 2 shallots, diced
05 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
07 - 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper, plus more to taste
08 - 2 cups loosely packed basil (about 30 grams), plus more for garnish
09 - 1 cup plant-based heavy cream or unsweetened unflavored extra creamy non-dairy milk
10 - 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
11 - 2 vegetable bouillon cubes or 2 teaspoons vegetable bouillon paste
12 - Vegan parmesan, for garnish, optional

→ Breadcrumb Topping (Optional)

13 - 1/2 cup pistachio kernels
14 - Zest of 1 small lemon
15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
16 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
17 - 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
18 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add zucchini, shallots, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until the zucchini is tender and releases moisture, about 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes.
03 - Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a high-powered blender. Add reserved pasta water, bouillon cubes, basil, plant-based cream, and nutritional yeast. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
04 - Combine the blended sauce with the cooked pasta in a large pot. Toss to evenly coat the pasta with the sauce.
05 - In a skillet over medium heat, toast pistachios until fragrant. Add lemon zest, olive oil, breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, and garlic powder. Cook until golden and crisp. Set aside.
06 - Plate the pasta and top with vegan parmesan, fresh basil, and breadcrumb topping if desired. Serve immediately.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Reserve pasta water to emulsify and thicken the sauce naturally.
02 - Use fresh basil for optimal flavor and aroma.
03 - Taste and adjust seasoning after blending for balanced flavor.
04 - Customize with spinach, kale, or sun-dried tomatoes as desired.
05 - The breadcrumb topping adds texture and brightness to the dish.

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