This flavorful and satisfying pasta dish combines the classic combination of tomato, basil, Italian sausage, and zucchini. It’s a delicious and quick option for a weeknight meal.
Before you take your first bite, you’ll immediately notice the rich aroma of the San Marzano tomatoes and fresh basil in the sauce. With each bite, you’ll experience the explosion of flavors from the well-seasoned sausage, which adds a hearty and spicy element to the dish. The zucchini adds a touch of freshness and a slight crispness, balancing out the richness of the sausage and the tangy sweetness of the tomato sauce. Parmesan cheese rounds out the dish with a delightful richness.
Tomato, Basil, and Zucchini Penne Pasta
4
servings5
minutes25
minutes30
minutesThis satisfying and quick pasta dish combines the classic combination of tomato, basil, Italian sausage, and zucchini
Ingredients
1 package penne pasta (16 oz)
1 pound Italian sausage (medium)
2 whole zucchinis, sliced
28 ounces San Marzano tomatoes
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/2 cup chicken stock
5 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons ground black pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Directions
- Cook the pasta al dente per the packaged instructions. Be sure to salt the water and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water once finished.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large pot (I used a dutch oven) over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage to the pan. Season it with 1 tablespoon each of salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder, and continue breaking it up into smaller bits as it cooks. Once fully browned after 5-7 minutes, remove and set aside.
- Add the minced garlic and 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to the pot or dutch oven. Cook for 1-2 minutes, being careful not to let it burn. Stir in the tomato paste, and cook for 1 more minute then deglaze the pan with the chicken stock. Scrape up any browned bits of sausage that may be left over.
- Stir in the San Marzano tomatoes and remaining salt and ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the sliced zucchinis and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
- Stir in the parmesan cheese, Italian sausage, and reserved pasta water until the cheese begins to melt. Fold in the al dente pasta noodles and enjoy!