A perennial favorite, pasta lends itself especially well to summertime cooking. Here’s a look at some fresh takes on pasta night, guaranteed to be crowd pleasers. These summer pasta dishes are quick and easy to make, and they are incredibly delicious!
1. Penne with Grilled Summer Vegetables
The bright colors and fresh flavors in this pasta make it a great weeknight go-to. Serve with grilled chicken or fish for a light meal that satisfies.
- Cuisine: Italian;
- Category: Side Dish;
- Serves: 2-4;
- Prep Time:10 min;
- Cook time:35 min;
- Nutrition Per Serving: 367;
Ingredients:
- 1 box penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 yellow squash, sliced
- 1 package mushrooms (any kind) sliced
- 1 small white onion, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 can Italian seasoned diced tomatoes
- Salt and pepper
Cook the pasta in a large pot full of salted boiling water. Drain, but do not rinse.
While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a skillet. Add peppers and onions and sauté over medium heat until they begin to soften. Add remaining fresh vegetables and garlic and sauté an additional 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add canned tomatoes, salt and pepper. Stir well until tomatoes are heated through, and then remove from heat. Spoon sauce over warm pasta and top with shredded Parmesan or Pecorino cheese, if desired.
Mix it up: Make this simple pasta a one-pot meal by browning a pound of spicy Italian sausage in the pan before adding peppers. Top with shredded cheese and chopped spinach.
