Description
A rich and creamy zucchini sauce bursting with fresh flavors, perfect for pasta, rice, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables. This Mediterranean-inspired dish combines tender zucchini, garlic, onion, and herbs in a luscious, cheesy cream base, with an easy dairy-free option using coconut cream and nutritional yeast.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium zucchinis, grated or finely diced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for dairy-free)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oil and sauté onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook the zucchini: Add the grated or diced zucchini to the skillet along with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender and most of the moisture has evaporated.
- Add cream and cheese: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, gently simmering for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Finish with lemon and herbs: Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice and chopped fresh basil or parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Serve the sauce warm over pasta, rice, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables for a versatile and flavorful meal.
Notes
- For a dairy-free alternative, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.
- This sauce works wonderfully as a base for lasagna or as a unique pizza topping.
- Use fresh herbs of your choice like basil or parsley for a different flavor profile.
- To make it spicier, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
