A-Z Indexes

Food

Health Guides

Health News

Bowtie Pasta with Zucchini, Basil, and Mozzarella

Related recipes: Main Dishes, Corn-Free, Egg-Free, Low-Sugar, Soy-Free, Vegetarian
Bowtie Pasta with Zucchini, Basil, and Mozzarella: Main Image

Quick Facts

Servings: 4

Sides & Desserts

  1. Tuscany Bean Soup
  2. Broccoli Rabe Italiano
  3. Search for Special Diet Recipes

Wine Pairings

  1. Sangiovese
A great way to use zucchini during the harvest season, with basil and mozzarella as compliments. This can be prepared in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 12 oz farfalle, (bowtie shaped pasta), uncooked
  • 4 medium zucchini, cut into matchsticks
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup basil leaves, coarsely chopped
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup shredded lowfat mozzarella cheese*
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese*

Directions

  • Cook pasta in boiling water until tender. Drain pasta in a colander but reserve about 1 cup (240mL) of cooking water.
  • Slice zucchini lengthwise into slices about 1/4-inch (1cm) thick. Place several slices on top of each other and cut into little sticks, about 1 1/2 inches (4cm) by 1/4-inch (1cm) each. You should have about 4–6 cups (1–1.4L) of zucchini “matchsticks”.
  • Heat olive oil in a 12-inch (30cm) nonstick skillet and add garlic and zucchini pieces. Cook over medium heat until the zucchini pieces are tender and light brown in color. Add about half of the basil and stir for a minute or two. Add salt and pepper. Pour the cooked pasta into the skillet and stir so that the juices coat the noodles. If the mixture seems dry, add some of the reserved cooking water. Finally, add the rest of the basil and the shredded mozzarella, and stir once more.
  • Top with Parmesan cheese.

* Allergy notes: People following a corn-free diet should avoid iodized salt since it contains dextrose, which should be avoided by those allergic to corn. The egg protein lysozyme is an unlabeled additive in some cheeses. People allergic to eggs should eliminate any cheese in this recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 493
  Calories from Fat 108 (22%)
(19%)Total Fat 12g
(26%)Saturated Fat 5g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
(9%)Cholesterol 27mg
(14%)Sodium 326mg
(21%)Potassium 742mg
Total Carbohydrate 72g
(19%)Dietary Fiber 5g
Sugars 4g
Sugar Alcohols 0g
(48%)Protein 24g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Nutrition facts are calculated by a food expert using nutritional values provided by the USDA for common products used as recipe ingredients. Actual nutritional values may differ depending on the amounts or products used and can be affected by cooking methods.

Copyright © 2025 TraceGains, Inc. All rights reserved.

Read our healthy recipe definitions.

Learn more about TraceGains, the company.

The information presented here is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of US–registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.