Creamy Zucchini & Mushroom Pasta with Lemon-Parmesan Twist

Light and Tasty Vegetarian Dinner

This elegant dish is where comfort meets freshness. It’s packed with flavor from sautéed mushrooms, tender zucchini, and a creamy (yet light) sauce that clings beautifully to al dente pasta. A hit of lemon zest and a generous sprinkle of grated parmesan take it from simple to stunning.

It’s vegetarian, wholesome, and ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

• 200g (7 oz) fettuccine, linguine, or your favorite pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced into thin half-moons
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (cremini or button work great)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Cracked black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup plant-based or regular cream (e.g., oat cream or light dairy cream)
• ½ cup grated vegetarian parmesan cheese
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Optional: fresh basil or parsley to garnish

👩‍🍳 How to Make It:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Sauté the veggies: In a large pan, heat olive oil. Add chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until fragrant (2–3 mins). Toss in mushrooms and cook until softened and golden. Add zucchini slices, salt, and pepper, and cook for another 3–4 minutes.
3. Add the cream: Stir in the plant-based or regular cream, lemon juice, and half the parmesan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes. Add the pasta and toss to coat. If it feels too thick, loosen with a bit of pasta water.
4. Finish with flavor: Add lemon zest and the remaining parmesan. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
5. Serve hot, with extra cracked pepper and lemon wedges on the side.

🌿 Why You’ll Love It:

• It’s creamy but not heavy.
• It’s fresh, fragrant, and lemony.
• It comes together fast—perfect for a weeknight.
• It looks fancy but takes no fancy skills.

Variations:

• Swap zucchini for asparagus or spinach
• Use whole wheat pasta for extra fiber
• Make it vegan by using vegan cream and plant-based parmesan
• Add toasted pine nuts or walnuts for crunch

📝 Final Bite

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or impressing someone special, this dish proves that vegetarian meals can be both light and luxurious. Comforting, quick, and bursting with flavor—this is the dinner you’ll come back to again and again.