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Colorful Vegetable Pasta

This vibrant vegetable pasta is made by sautéing chopped bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes with garlic in olive oil, then tossing with cooked al dente pasta and finishing with Parmesan cheese. The dish offers a tender, slightly charred texture with bright, juicy bursts of flavor and a fragrant aroma of garlic and herbs.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces spaghetti or penne pasta preferably good quality
  • 2 red bell peppers roasted for extra flavor, optional
  • 1 medium zucchini thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 3 cloves garlic minced until fragrant
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated, for finishing

Equipment

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Large skillet or frying pan
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until just al dente, following package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, chop the bell peppers into strips and thinly slice the zucchini. Halve the cherry tomatoes and mince the garlic cloves.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering and fragrant. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant and slightly golden.
  4. Add the chopped bell peppers and zucchini to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and slightly charred around the edges, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2-3 minutes, just until they soften and release their juices, filling the kitchen with a sweet, tangy aroma.
  6. Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet with the vegetables. Toss everything together gently to combine and coat the noodles evenly with the flavorful oil and vegetables.
  7. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta, then toss again until the cheese melts slightly and the dish becomes fragrant and well combined.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired, for a vibrant, colorful, and flavorful vegetable pasta.