
R-Creamy Courgette Pasta with Goat Cheese
A quick and incredibly creamy pasta dish using just one courgette to create a luscious sauce. This recipe is packed with healthy vegetables and heart-healthy walnuts, making it irresistible and nutritious.
Ingredients
- pasta160 g
Such as rigatoni
- courgette500 g
- cream cheese65 g
- lemon0.3 whole
- goat cheese30 g
Crumbled
- walnuts30 g
- extra virgin olive oil2 tbsp
- black pepper1 pinch
- salt1 pinch
- water100 ml
Reserved pasta cooking water
Instructions
Chef's Tips
For an alternative flavour profile, substitute the lemon zest with 1 teaspoon of dried mint or a handful of fresh basil leaves when blending the sauce.
If you prefer a richer sauce, you can substitute the pasta cooking water with a splash of single cream or milk.
To ensure the sauce adheres perfectly to the pasta, make sure the pasta is slightly undercooked (al dente) when you add it to the pan with the sauce.
Prepare the Courgette
Wash and dry the courgette. Trim the ends and slice it into half-moon shapes.
Sauté the Courgette
Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced courgette along with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Sauté until the courgette is tender and golden brown. Remove half of the courgette slices from the pan and set aside for the sauce base.
Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for one minute less than the time specified on the packet (al dente). Reserve about 100ml of the cooking water before draining the pasta.
Make the Creamy Sauce
Place the reserved half of the sautéed courgette, the cream cheese, and 100ml of the reserved pasta cooking water into a blender or measuring jug. Blend until you achieve a smooth, fine sauce. Grate the zest of a quarter of the lemon into the sauce.
Combine and Finish
Pour the creamy courgette sauce into the frying pan with the remaining sautéed courgette slices. Add the drained pasta to the pan. Mix well over medium-low heat until the pasta is fully coated and the sauce has thickened slightly. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more pasta cooking water.
Serve
Serve immediately, topped with crumbled goat cheese, a sprinkle of chopped walnuts, and an extra grind of black pepper for a crunchy texture.