Description
Enjoy a light and flavorful Lemon Basil Zucchini Pasta Alfredo! Fresh zucchini noodles, fragrant basil, and zesty lemon combine in a creamy Alfredo sauce for a delightful twist on classic comfort food. Perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- Zucchini: 2 medium, spiralized or peeled into noodles
- Fresh Basil: 1/2 cup, chopped
- Lemon: 1, zest and juice
- Alfredo Sauce: 1 cup (store-bought or homemade)
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup, grated
- Salt and Pepper: To taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Zucchini Noodles and Basil: Wash and trim the zucchinis. Use a spiralizer or vegetable peeler to create zucchini noodles. Roughly chop the fresh basil. Set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add heavy cream (if making homemade Alfredo) or store-bought sauce to the skillet and stir gently. Gradually add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Add lemon zest and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine and Serve: Add the zucchini pasta to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Gently toss to coat the noodles evenly. Add the chopped fresh basil and lemon juice. Toss again. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprig of basil, if desired.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the zucchini noodles: They should be tender-crisp.
- Use fresh, high-quality Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
- Adjust the amount of lemon to suit your taste preference.
- For a richer sauce, add a tablespoon of butter along with the heavy cream (if making homemade Alfredo).
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of pasta water (or regular water) to thin it out.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Sauté
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 Kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: zucchini pasta alfredo, lemon basil pasta recipe, creamy zucchini noodles, vegetarian pasta, healthy pasta recipe, low carb pasta