Fast & Easy

Pesto Pasta

with Zucchini & Lemon Ricotta

25 MIN

+$3.99/serving 2 Servings

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add Hot Italian Pork Sausage

From the Test Kitchen

This pasta gets its verdant color two ways: we’re stirring in tender zucchini (sautéed with red pepper flakes for a lightly spicy kick), then bringing it all together with our herbaceous basil pesto. A spoonful of creamy ricotta—mixed with a bit of parmesan and lemon juice for bright, rich flavor—is perfect for stirring into every bite.
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Nutrition

PER SERVING
Calories

1100 Cals (est.)

View Full Nutrition

fresh

ingredients

10 oz Hot Italian Pork Sausage
6 oz Cavatappi Pasta
1 Zucchini
⅓ cup Basil Pesto
½ cup Part-Skim Ricotta Cheese
¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
2 cloves Garlic
1 oz Sliced Roasted Red Peppers
¼ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Lemon
2 Tbsps Mascarpone Cheese

step-by-step

instructions

Cook Along

1 Prepare the ingredients

Fill a medium pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Halve the zucchini lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise. Peel and roughly chop 2 cloves of garlic. Quarter and deseed the lemon. Roughly chop the peppers.

2 Cook the sausage

In a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the sausage; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently and breaking the meat apart with a spoon, 7 to 9 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a plate.

3 Cook the zucchini

In the pan of reserved fond, heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the sliced zucchini in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the chopped garlic and as much of the red pepper flakes as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until lightly browned and slightly softened. Turn off the heat.

4 Cook the pasta

Meanwhile, add the pasta to the pot of boiling water. Cook, stirring occasionally, 7 to 9 minutes, or until al dente (still slightly firm to the bite). Turn off the heat. Reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, drain thoroughly.

5 Make the lemon ricotta

Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the ricotta, half the parmesan, and the juice of 2 lemon wedges. Season with salt and pepper.

6 Finish the pasta & serve your dish

To the pan of cooked zucchini, add the cooked pasta, cooked sausage, mascarpone, and half the reserved pasta cooking water. Cook on medium-high, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes, or until combined. Turn off the heat. Stir in the chopped peppers and pesto and until the pasta is coated (if necessary, gradually add the remaining cooking water to ensure the pasta is thoroughly coated). Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve the finished pasta topped with the lemon ricotta and remaining parmesan. Serve the remaining lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy!