Caramelized Zucchini Pasta with Lemon and Ricotta
The what-to-do-with-all-that-zucchini recipe you didn't know you needed. When cooked low and slow, zucchini melts into a caramelized, almost creamy sauce that tastes so rich you'll think there's cream in it...but there isn't. A big hearty squeeze of lemon and a spicy honey glaze adds a double exclamation point for the whole dish. Make this caramelized zucchini pasta and you'll convert the most die-hard zucchini hater!
Servings 3
Ingredients
- ½ lb spaghetti cooked, 1 cup of pasta water reserved
- Juice and zest of one lemon you want 3 T juice and whatever you yield from the lemon for zest
- 3 zucchini
- 5 T butter divided
- 2 T olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ cup ricotta cheese or more as desired
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
FOR SPICY HONEY
- 2 T honey
- ½ tsp water or enough to thin honey
- ⅓ teaspoon crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti - reserve 1 c pasta water½ lb spaghetti
- Cut zucchini in half crosswise and then in half lengthwise. Remove some of the seeds before cutting into thin strips lengthwise.3 zucchini
- Over medium-high heat, saute zucchini in 2 T butter and 2 T oil for about 3-5 minutes until golden. Add garlic, 1/2 tsp oregano and 1/2 tsp thyme, pinch of red pepper flakes to pan and cook until fragrant.5 T butter, 2 T olive oil, 3 cloves garlic, ½ teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon thyme
- Lower the heat and allow to cook for about 10 minutes more until caramelized. Deglaze with lemon juice (3 T). ¼ cup of pasta water to start. Add remaining 3T butter and zest and allow to thicken a bit over medium-low heat for a couple of minutes.Juice and zest of one lemon
- Add cooked pasta adding more reserved pasta water as needed make a sauce.. Top with ricotta, fresh grated parmesan, fresh basil and drizzle over spicy honey.½ cup ricotta cheese, ½ cup parmesan cheese
FOR HONEY DRIZZLE
- Mix honey with warm water in small bowl and stir in crushed red pepper.2 T honey, ½ tsp water, ⅓ teaspoon crushed red pepper
Notes
Storage and reheat tips.
Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days.
To reheat, place in a skillet and over medium heat,heat until warmed through about 3-5 minutes. Or heat in a microwave safe container in 30 second increments until desired temp is achieved.
Adjust the recipe. Have more people? Add 1 zucchini per person! 1/2 lb pasta typically will serve 3 but adjust for your family and guests.