Summer Squash and Basil Pasta

A vibrant summer pasta dish featuring tender squash and zucchini cooked until jammy, combined with garlic, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese in a light olive oil sauce. Perfect for using seasonal summer produce.

4 servings
36 min

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 8 cloves garlic cloves
  • 2 pounds assorted summer squashes and zucchini
  • 1 to taste Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon Aleppo-style pepper
  • 12 ounces tube pasta
  • 2 ounces Parmesan
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup basil leaves

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Cook garlic, stirring occasionally, until very lightly browned around the edges, about 4 minutes. Add squash; season with salt. Cook, tossing occasionally, until squash begins to break down and gets jammy (they may start to stick to the skillet a bit, which means you are there!), 12-15 minutes. Toss in 1 tsp. Aleppo-style pepper.

    19 min

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until very al dente.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Transfer pasta to skillet using a slotted spoon or spider and add 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid. Cook pasta, adding 2 oz. Parmesan in stages along with more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until sauce coats pasta and pasta is al dente. Toss in lemon juice and most of the basil.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Divide pasta among bowls and top with more Parmesan and Aleppo-style pepper and remaining basil.

    2 min