Il Cucinologo
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Baked Pasta with Zucchini Cream

17/11/2023

I can guide you in preparing baked pasta with zucchini cream, a tasty variant that incorporates the delicate flavor of zucchini in a creamy base to season the pasta. Here’s how to prepare the dish:

Ingredients

  • 350 g short pasta (penne, rigatoni, fusilli, or whatever you prefer)
  • 4 medium zucchinis
  • 200 ml cooking cream (or plant-based alternative if you prefer)
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • Nutmeg to taste (optional)
  • 100 g grated cheese (Parmesan or Pecorino)
  • Diced mozzarella to taste (optional)
  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
  2. Wash the zucchinis and cut them into slices or cubes.
  3. In a large pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil and add the clove of garlic, letting it brown.
  4. Remove the garlic and add the cut zucchinis, letting them cook until they become soft. Salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Once the zucchinis are cooked, remove them from the pan and blend them with an immersion blender, adding the cream until you obtain a smooth cream. If desired, you can add a pinch of nutmeg.
  6. Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water for about half the time indicated on the package, so that it can finish cooking in the oven.
  7. Drain the pasta and combine it with the zucchini cream, mixing well to make the cream adhere to the pasta.
  8. Pour the mixture into a baking dish previously greased with a little oil or butter, and sprinkle with the grated cheese (and the diced mozzarella if you are using it).
  9. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the surface becomes golden and crispy.
  10. Once cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Add fresh basil leaves for garnish if desired.

Fun Fact

Baked pasta is a very versatile dish that features numerous regional variations in Italy. Some versions include the addition of meat (such as sausage or ground meat) or other types of vegetables to enrich the flavor and texture of the dish. Zucchini cream is a lighter but equally tasty variant, perfect for those who love the delicate flavors of vegetables.

Enjoy your meal!