Name: Pasta with Zucchini and Goat Cheese
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 12 oz. linguine pasta (fettucini works too); 1.5 T. olive oil; 6 zucchinis; 1 t. chopped garlic; 5 oz. crumbled goat cheese; 2 T. lemon zest; 1 c. pasta water; Salt and Pepper to taste

Fast and easy aren’t just for microwaved frozen meals.

Today, I cooked a super simple lunch instead of going out to grab something.

Zucchini is in season right this very instant, and of course CHEESE is always welcome in this house.

It’s a rich but not dense, and it took me only 25 minutes to put together, including the time to boil the noodles.

Pasta with Zucchini and Goat Cheese

Renee’ Groskreutz

Tools

Large Glass Bowl
Skillet
Medium-Size Pot
Pasta Fork
Lemon Zester or Grater
Cutting Board

4.80 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 25

Total Time 25

Ingredients

12 oz. linguine pasta fettucini works too
1.5 T. olive oil
6 zucchinis
1 t. chopped garlic
5 oz. crumbled goat cheese
2 T. lemon zest
1 c. pasta water
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare the zucchini and goat cheese
Start by washing your zucchini and drying it.
Slice the zucchini in half lengthwise. (I prefer to cut the zucchini midway into two shorter pieces. I find it easier to work with that way.)
Then slice the zucchini into thin half moons.
Crumble the goat cheese and set aside.
Cook the pasta
Follow the instructions on the pasta package to cook the pasta. Read here about how to know when pasta is done.
Tip: Test pasta 2 minutes before suggested cook time.
Drain pasta when it is done but note to save behind a cup of pasta water, scooping it out into a measuring cup with a heat-safe ladle.
Cook the zucchini and pasta
While the pasta is boiling, heat 1 T. of olive oil in the skillet at medium-high heat.
After the pan is heated, add zucchini and salt and pepper. Cook for 7 minutes and stir occasionally.
Use this time to zest the lemon.
Add the garlic and ½ T to the pan and cook for 1 minute.
Mix Pasta and Goat Cheese
Add all of the goat cheese except 2 T. and the 1 cup of pasta water to the pasta and stir in. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve
Divide pasta between 4 bowls. Top pasta with zucchini, lemon zest, and the remaining 2 T. of goat cheese.
This pasta dish was so delicious that I had the leftovers for dinner. Consider serving this dish with a piece of garlic toast.

Notes

Note on goat cheese: You can buy pre-crumbled goat cheese at most grocery stores. Also, if you have everything else on hand except the goat cheese, here are some suggestions for goat cheese substitutes