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Farfalle Pasta with Zucchini and Lemon Cream Sauce

This recipe works with all kinds of pasta, but there's just something special about farfalle "bow ties."
5 from 1 vote
Course Main Course

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pkg farfalle (bow tie) pasta (16 oz)
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup marscarpone cheese
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tbsp grated fresh lemon peel, or more to taste
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cups thinly sliced zucchini
  • 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp salt, divided
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, divided

Instructions
 

  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the bow tie pasta and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, and drain the farfalle well in a colander set in the sink.
  • While the farfalle are boiling, mix together the ricotta, mascarpone, and Parmesan cheeses in a large serving bowl, and stir in the lemon peel and basil until the mixture is well combined.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir the zucchini and garlic until the zucchini are tender but still bright in color, about 8 minutes. Stir about 1 /4 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water into the cheese mixture and mix until smooth; add the hot drained pasta and cooked zucchini, and lightly toss with the sauce Season with the salt and pepper. If mixture is too thick, add a little more pasta cooking water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce is the desired thickness. Makes 6 servings. Enjoy!