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Simple Fresh Zucchini Pasta Sauce

Published: / Updated: / 28 Comments

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This zucchini pasta sauce is the perfect way to use up your summer zucchini harvest! It's easy to make, buttery, and totally delicious.

zucchini pasta in a white bowl with fettuccine and a fork

I have a number of zucchini noodle recipes on here, but this is my first time posting a pasta recipe with a zucchini sauce. I wasn't even sure what to name this recipe, since searching on Google for zucchini pasta comes up with a lot of recipes that have zoodles! Hopefully those who are searching for a pasta sauce made from zucchini will actually find this recipe. 🙂

The zucchini just melts in your mouth. Zucchini, onions, garlic, and butter are an amazing combo. This is a simple pasta for lazy summer evenings. Enjoy it on your patio with a glass of white wine. 

If you're lucky enough to have a garden with zucchini growing in it, this is the recipe for you. I know that it can sometimes be difficult to use it all up!

close-up of summer zucchini pasta sauce with fettuccine

How to make pasta with zucchini lemon garlic sauce (summary):

Cook the pasta. Meanwhile, prep the other recipe ingredients. Sauté the onion in a skillet until translucent, then add in the zucchini, garlic, and Italian seasoning, and continue cooking for another 5 minutes or so. Finish the sauce by adding the chicken broth (or veg broth), butter, and lemon juice. Stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese, toss with the drained pasta, and enjoy. (Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below)

Recipe notes & tips:

  • Try replacing the chicken broth (half or all of it) with dry white wine!
  • This zucchini parmesan pasta is one of those forgiving recipes where it's easy enough to throw in some fresh garden herbs on or even other garden veggies that you want to use up. I haven't tested it, but fresh tomatoes could definitely be added in here, as an example.
  • Want to add some protein to this dish? Already cooked/rotisserie chicken or even some shrimp would be delicious. 
  • I always recommend grating your own parmesan cheese for the best results. I use my Microplane to easily and quickly grate parmesan.

More zucchini recipes you may like:

zucchini pasta in a white bowl

Will you give this fresh zucchini pasta sauce a try? Let me know! What's growing in your garden? Questions? Leave me a comment below.

zucchini pasta in a white bowl with fettuccine and a fork

Zucchini Pasta Sauce

This zucchini pasta sauce is the perfect way to use up your summer zucchini harvest! It's easy to make, buttery, and totally delicious.
4.89 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 382 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta I used fettuccine
  • 1.5 pounds zucchini diced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter divided
  • 1/2 small onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 dash Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup chicken or veg broth
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Boil a salted pot of water for your pasta. Cook the pasta al dente according to package directions.
  • Meanwhile, chop the zucchini and prep your other ingredients.
  • Add the olive oil and one tablespoon of the butter to a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes.
  • Add the zucchini, garlic, and Italian seasoning to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the remaining butter, chicken broth, and lemon juice to the pan. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes or so.
  • Stir in the parmesan cheese and toss with the drained pasta (add a splash of pasta water if you wish). Season with salt & pepper as needed and enjoy immediately.

Notes

  • Zucchini sizing is pretty subjective, so I figured that including a weight would be the most useful thing to do. I used 3 small-to-medium zucchini totaling around 1.5 pounds. Anything around 1 lb. or so will work, but I wouldn't go less than that if you're feeding 4 people.
  • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Nutrition

Calories: 382kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 15gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 366mgPotassium: 622mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 623IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 184mgIron: 2mg
Keyword easy zucchini pasta sauce
Author Natasha Bull
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  1. Diane Kruger says

    5 stars
    This is so exquisite tasting. I got young tender zucchini. The recipe is very easy to follow. It is so good and I mean very good! Paired with warm French bread with garlic salt and it is so satisfying.
    I'm so pleased I made this and will be making it a lot more.
    Thank you for sharing this recipe!

    Reply

  2. Elizabeth Kelly says

    5 stars
    This was easy to make and tasted lovely. I was looking for a lighter sauce and wanted something other than a tomato or mushroom based sauce. This fit the bill beautifully. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, Elizabeth! Thanks for taking the time to write me a review. 🙂

      Reply

  4. Jayme Amaral says

    Fantastic! I’ve made this twice now. I do grate the zucchini because it’s easier for my 9 month old to eat and she LOVES IT. This time I added roasted garlic! Incredible! I’ll be freezing some of the sauce this time around for a quick meal. I hope it’ll hold up in the freezer!

    Reply

  6. Caroline V Bruno says

    Hello !! , What a wonderful sauce !! Not a vegetarian, but not eating meat lately. This is a great recipe for pasta. Who doesn't like a little zucchini once and then.

    Reply

  7. Mariah says

    5 stars
    This is amazing! Have made quite a few times and now making again that it’s zucchini season! Sometimes I add some crispy pancetta or bacon and some chili. Delicious

    Reply

  8. Beth says

    4 stars
    This was good and easy! I think a smaller pasta like shells or orzo would make it easier to eat - next time!

    Reply

  9. M Carol Parente says

    5 stars
    OMG! I had some fresh cauliflower and ricotta raviolis and was looking for a quick sauce to use up a zucchini I also had!. I'm so glad I found this! My husband says the recipe is a "real keeper!"

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Hi! I haven't tried. I think it would probably be fine. The zucchini will go quite soft, but I think it would still be tasty.

      Reply

  12. Ashlyn @ F5 Method says

    I’ve had a bunch of fresh summer zucchini on hand lately and this looks like a great way to use it. Looks amazing as always Natasha!!

    Reply