Anything Goes Pasta

Last night was one of those nights when I had no fresh vegetables other than a lone zucchini, and absolutely no urge to go to the grocery store. I knew I had to get creative to make dinner. We also had little bit of Delallo Bruschetta Topping we bought in Captiva last weekend. This bruschetta topping, by the way, was delicious if you happen across it! Anyway, I used the oil from the bruschetta instead of plain olive oil. I also had about a tablespoon of goat cheese left from a chicken roulade that I made the other day.

I combined all this and a few other things from my pantry, and it turned out to be really good.
everything_pasta.jpg

Anything Goes Pasta Recipe

1/2 pound penne pasta
1 tbsp olive oil (or if you happen to have bruschetta topping, use that oil!)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium size zucchini, cubed
1/4 c sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/4 c roasted red peppers, chopped
1 tbsp prepared pesto sauce
3 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1 tbsp goat cheese (optional, but very good)
Squeeze of lime juice (optional)
sprinkle of parmesan cheese

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne when the water is boiling. With a pyrex measuring cup or coffee cup, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, before you strain the pasta. Strain pasta when it is al dente.

2. While the pasta is cooking, heat a saute pan with the oil over medium high heat. Add the garlic and cook for one minute. Now add the zucchini and toss until almost tender. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, red peppers and pesto and toss to heat through.

3. Pour the strained pasta and the contents of the saute pan into the pasta pot. Add the fresh basil, goat cheese, salt and pepper and stir adding as much pasta water necessary to make a creamy sauce. I also added a squeeze of lime juice, which played very nicely with the tangy goat cheese. Serve with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese. Great eaten as a meal, or topped with grilled chicken breast.

Makes 2 Servings

September 11, 2007 | Filed Under Dinner, Vegetarian

 

Critiques & Opinions

3 Critiques to “Anything Goes Pasta”

  1. MJ on September 11th, 2007 12:14 pm

    You are some kind of crazy genius.

  2. Jocelyn on September 11th, 2007 2:29 pm

    Ah, the glory of a well-stocked pantry! While preparing a similarly impromptu meal years ago, I lamented to the friend I was cooking for that I had hardly anything in the house.

    “Jocelyn,” she said, “Your ‘nothing in the house’ is everyone else’s ‘I just went shopping.’”

    Looks like a fine turn with the “nothing” you had on hand!

  3. PastaGuru on November 15th, 2007 11:52 am

    This dish is fabulous - Can I ask what pasta was used? Secretly I taste and critique pasta dishes, not based on the actual dish as a whole, but the quality of the pasta! If you haven’t already, you should try my new favorite - Amish Naturals - they just came out with penne! Check their website to see if it is available near you - http://www.Amishnaturals.com
    Enjoy!

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