A healthy pan-fried breaded Parmesan zucchini and summer squash mixture tossed with spaghetti, fresh lemon juice, and fresh parsley. Scroll down past the recipe for a fun giveaway to win a kitchen-aid stand mixer 🙂
I have to start off this post by telling you all that the husband hates zucchini.
And he says summer squash is the same as zucchini to him as far as flavor and texture.
Which, by the way, this was completely new mind-blowing news to me. He was flabergasted (<– haha I had to use that word) that I didn’t know of his hatred towards zucchini and summer squash.
I thought he loved zucchini because one of his favorite desserts is zucchini bread. He loves that stuff – particularly my mom’s recipe which he has deemed the “best ever” zucchini bread.
But I guess the copius amounts of sugar and other ingredients in zucchini bread is the reason he likes it, not the fact that there is zucchini in it. Go figure. And men say women are the complicated ones 😉
So when I started whipping together a lunch for him on a lucky day he got to work from home, I just casually mentioned there would be plenty of zucchini in it – just how he loves his vegetables.
His face scrunched and nose turned up. But he’s a sport and told me to continue making it anyways, that perhaps his tastes had changed.
I was nervous. This was my chance to show him how good zucchini and summer squash could be. And I’m betting you can guess how much he liked it.
Or I probably wouldn’t be telling this story in the first place. But liked is kind of an understatement – he awarded this meal a “new favorite.” I was beyond thrilled. And all that more excited to share it with you all!
Plus it’s SO easy to make. Twenty minutes for a warm and healthy meal – you can’t beat that. And there is no oven-age involved. SCORE!
The summer squash and zucchini get tossed with some olive oil and garlic in a saucepan. After that they get some breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese mixed in. You may think there is too much Parmesan or breadcrumbs, but it all evens out when it’s mixed with the spaghetti. You may even want to add more 😉
- 1 package (16 ounces) spaghetti
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 5 cups assorted zucchini and summer squash
- 1/3 cup pine nuts optional
- 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2-3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: fresh or dried parsley
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Prepare the spaghetti according to package directions and cook all the way through. Drain when the noodles are done cooking and return the noodles to the pot.
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Chop up the zucchini and summer squash (measure out 5 cups after cutting) by cutting the squashes into coins and then lengthwise and width-wise through the coins.
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Place the pine nuts in the pan without any oil over medium heat. Lightly toast by stirring until lightly brown. They will burn easily so watch carefully.
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Next, combine the olive oil and garlic in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until fragrant.
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Add the chopped squash and zucchini to the olive oil mixture. Stir until they are tender.
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Add in the Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Season generously (or to taste) with salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.
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Add the zucchini and squash mixture to the drained spaghetti. Add in the lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste, and the previously toasted pine nuts. Stir until combined.
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Tongs work best for tossing the ingredients together.
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Enjoy immediately.
Here are some more easy dinners:
Creamy farmer’s market tortellini
Slow cooker cheesy quinoa enchilada bake
And I am SO excited to help Lindsay from Life, Love, and Sugar celebrate her 2nd year blogiversary. Lindsay is awesome! And she has the most incredible desserts – seriously I just want to eat cheesecake and chocolate all day after going to her site! She’s gathered a bunch of us bloggers to help her celebrate and give one lucky reader a kitchenaid stand mixer. Good Luck everyone!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
August 5, 2014 at 7:25 amYour hubby hates zucchini?! WHAT! That is sadness. But, more of this yum pasta for you! Pinned!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
August 5, 2014 at 8:46 amI’m so glad your husband liked this because it looks amazing! I love that you combined zucchini and squash in an easy dish. It’s a great way to use all of those farmer’s market veggies! Pinned!
Michele @ Two Raspberries says
August 5, 2014 at 8:57 amyum, this looks really good !!! I eat pasta more nights than I care to admit haha! 🙂 so I’m always looking for new ideas to keep things interesting… pinned to my PASTA board …needs to be my dinner one night this week! YUM!
Ashley says
August 5, 2014 at 9:15 amHates zucchini???? Madness!! haha
I am a huge zucchini / summer squash lover so this sounds amazing!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
August 5, 2014 at 9:43 amChelsea this looks so good! And, I laughed at your comment that …and people think women are more complicated than men! Great use of the word flabergasted too 🙂 . Really great and funny post! Pinned!
amanda @ fake ginger says
August 5, 2014 at 9:44 amhaha! Men are just like kids when it comes to food! Gotta try this on my kids! It looks delicious!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
August 5, 2014 at 4:57 pm20 minutes for such a awesome happy harvest meal? Yes, please!
Beth @ bethcakes says
August 5, 2014 at 8:43 pmI should totally try this if it makes people like zucchini. 🙂 This pasta looks so good with all that parmesan and breadcrumbs! You make the best quick and easy recipes, Chelsea! Pinned!
Monet says
August 6, 2014 at 12:21 amI think almost any zucchini hater would be convinced otherwise with this delicious plate of pasta goodness!
Bri | Bites of Bri says
August 6, 2014 at 7:57 amI always get sad when people say they hate zucchini because I love it so much and it can go in so many dishes! But sadly, the other day, my husband told me he was “zucchini-ed out” so I guess he’ll be taking a break from one of my favorite veggies. Fine by me…I get all of this pasta for myself! 🙂
Christine @ Cooking with Cakes says
August 6, 2014 at 3:55 pmyou seriously can’t beat a quick-fix pasta, this looks awesome Chels! and yeah Dave doesn’t like zucch either, I think it’s a man, “I need meat” kinda thing lol
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
August 7, 2014 at 9:03 pmHusbands are weird. I mean, mine won’t eat dessert. 🙂 I’d inhale this pasta!!!
Chelsea says
August 17, 2014 at 11:49 amI made this last night, oh my gosh it was good. So good i made it twice. Once for us and then decided to make another for my parents. My husband loved it and my mom could not believe how much flavor there was. Followed the recipe exactly. Thanks for the recipe!
chelseamessyapron says
September 28, 2014 at 6:58 amThat is SO great to hear!! Thanks for leaving a comment and rating for the recipe, it makes my day 🙂 Oh, and I love your name! 😉