This zucchini pasta recipe is a great way to get creative in the kitchen! With just a few simple ingredients, you can make an amazing dish that is both delicious and nutritious. Full of beautiful herby flavor from the Italian sausage and freshness from all the yummy veggies – zucchini pasta with sausage is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Life is busy, and there isn’t always time to cook an elaborate meal. That’s why this pasta with zucchini is perfect – it’s easy, quick, and healthy all in one! In less than 30 minutes, you can have a delicious dinner on the table. Plus, this sausage pasta with zucchini is just as good the next day, making it an ideal meal for leftovers.
My Italian sausage pasta is also ideal for using fresh produce you have either bought or grown yourself. The combination of tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and, of course, zucchini all work together to make a flavorful, healthy dish. So don’t let summer produce go to waste; whip up this zucchini pasta recipe for a fantastic dinner tonight!
Why You’ll Love Zucchini Pasta
- Perfect for all the family. Sausage pasta is adored by kids and adults alike, even if they can be picky about vegetables! My husband absolutely loves this zucchini pasta with sausage, and I am sure your loved ones will enjoy it too!
- Easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep work, you can have this zucchini pasta on the table in no time at all.
- Completely customizable. This recipe is for Italian sausage pasta, but you can use any type of sausage you prefer! And, if you wanted, why not swap the pasta for spaghetti squash? This is just as delicious and adds even more nutrition – I have included instructions on making spaghetti squash below!
Ingredients For Pasta With Zucchini
- Pasta/Spaghetti squash
- Olive oil
- Italian sausage
- Onion
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
- Garlic
- Pureed tomatoes
- Parsley
- Basil
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
Instructions For Sausage Pasta
- Boil pasta or cook spaghetti squash.
- Add the oil to a pan and heat on medium-low until shimmering. Add sausage and brown, adding the onion when the sausage is almost finished browning.
- Add tomatoes, zucchini, and garlic and cook for about 3 minutes, lightly mashing the tomatoes as they cook.
- Add the can of pureed tomatoes and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Toss with herbs and pasta or spaghetti squash.
How to Make Spaghetti Squash for Italian Sausage Pasta
Pasta is a favorite in almost every family, but why not switch it up and try this delicious sausage pasta made with zucchini spaghetti? This summery squash is super versatile; I even use it in my leftover steak tacos recipe!
You can quickly cook zucchini on the stovetop for a simple sidedish for any meal, but to make spaghetti squash for sausage pasta – you will need to follow these instructions:
- Cut the squash half lengthwise,
- Scrape out the seeds,
- Drizzle the inside with olive oil,
- Season with salt and pepper,
- Place face down on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet,
- Bake it at 400 degrees F until it’s fork tender; this takes about 30 or 45 minutes.
Once cooked, you can store your sausage pasta with zucchini in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Be sure to let the pasta with sausage cool completely before storing it in an airtight container and refrigerating. Alternatively, you can freeze this Italian sausage pasta for up to 3 months. Always thoroughly reheat this dish before eating!
These storage instructions apply to zucchini pasta made with either spaghetti squash or pasta.
You want to pick firm, bright green zucchini when you are gathering ingredients for this sausage pasta recipe. If your zucchini is too soft and the skin is discolored or wrinkled, then it is no longer good to eat. When you cut into your zucchini, the texture should be dense and firm yet slightly spongey. Avoid zucchinis that have soft spots or blemishes – these are signs of rot.
Italian sausage pasta is always a go-to for me, but I will happily use any type of sausage I have to hand! Plain, smoked, Italian, or spiced – the choice is totally yours. I find that any kind of sausage really brings out the flavor of this zucchini pasta and gives it extra depth.
Zucchini Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta 1 spaghetti squash can be substituted (see note)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage see note
- 1/2 cup yellow onion diced
- 2 tomatoes diced (see note)
- 2 cups zucchini shredded or diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 can pureed tomatoes 15 ounce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil minced
Instructions
- Boil pasta or cook spaghetti squash.
- Add the oil to a pan and heat on medium-low until shimmering. Add sausage and brown, adding the onion when the sausage is almost finished browning.
- Add tomatoes, zucchini, and garlic and cook for about 3 minutes, lightly mashing the tomatoes as they cook.
- Add the can of pureed tomatoes and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Toss with herbs and pasta or spaghetti squash.
Sammi Windley says
Zucchini in pasta with tomatoes is such a good idea! I’m excited to try this one out