Bring the Summer Vibes to Your Table...
...with a Vibrant Basil Vinaigrette Pasta.
Move over, heavy cream sauces, there's a new contender in town for your summertime pasta cravings. This vibrant basil vinaigrette pasta, a recipe from What Gaby Cooking, is a symphony of fresh flavors that's perfect for lighter meals on warm nights.
The secret lies in the homemade basil vinaigrette, bursting with the essence of summer basil. A touch of garlic and shallots adds depth, while red pepper flakes bring a subtle kick. Toss it all together with your favorite pasta, and voila – a restaurant-worthy dish in minutes.
This recipe is also a champion of convenience. Whip up a big batch of the vinaigrette and freeze it for whenever the pasta cravings hit. Leftovers can also be enjoyed chilled, making it a perfect meal prep option for busy weeks.
So ditch the takeout menus and embrace the fresh flavors of summer with this delightful basil vinaigrette pasta.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 shallots thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 zucchini cut into coins and quartered
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 lemon juiced
- Fresh basil and parmesan to garnish
For the Basil Vinaigrette:
- 1 shallot roughly chopped
- 2 cups tightly packed fresh basil leaves stems removed (about 4 ounces)
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ teaspoons red pepper flakes
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallot and red pepper flakes and sauté until fragrant. Add the zucchini and saute until just soft. Add the pasta and ½ cup of basil vinaigrette and toss to combine. Add more basil vinaigrette as needed. Season with salt and pepper and lemon juice and serve.
For the Basil Vinaigrette
1. Combine all the ingredients for the basil vinaigrette in a high powered blender and blend for 60 seconds until very smooth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
