Zucchini Tomato Marinara Pasta with #OXO

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“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”

If you were standing in my apartment earlier this morning, that would have been the inarticulate sound from the kitchen.

Now before you panic (oh my god, there’s a MANDOLIN SLICER in her photos!!!), I can assure you that it wasn’t a scream of pain.

No, my friends–that was a shriek of pure joy issuing in glass-shattering pitch as I played with my newest kitchen toy. And I am so so so excited to share it with all of you today–can you tell?

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OXO recently sent me another lovely bundle for my pasta-making lazy days: this Adjustable Hand-Held Mandoline Slicer, a Grape & Tomato Cutter, and a beautifully sturdy Rice & Grains Washing Colander with a draining spout near the top edge for easy pouring. Now as a gal who doesn’t often indulge in acquiring “kitchen gadgets” (okay, maybe the bread maker I got for Christmas is an exception. And the confectioner’s sugar dusting wand. And the Mickey Mouse ice cream scoop….oh fine, I love kitchen gadgets), the arrival of these wonderful toys via mail could only mean one thing: pasta play day!

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By noontime, thinly sliced zucchini was sizzling on the stovetop and my pasta was happily draining al dente in its colander. With all of the craziness happening around here lately, it was a relief to just spend an hour in the kitchen cooking, slicing, photographing, and–best of all–eating a truly homecooked meal.

Even I was surprised at how fresh this whole meal tasted–with whole wheat pasta, lightly cooked zucchini, quartered cherry tomatoes, a dollop of marinara sauce, and a sprinkling of assorted cheeses, this pasta is giving me the physical, emotional, and mental fuel to get through the rest of this crazy day (I’m currently preparing a guest lecture for Tuesday’s English survey course and am slightly freaking out, but don’t mind me).

That’s a lot with which to credit a bowl of pasta, but seriously, guys. Go forth, make pasta, and be happy!

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Happy pasta-making, everyone!

Ala

Zucchini Tomato Marinara Pasta with #OXO

Zucchini Tomato Marinara Pasta with #OXO

The easiest and freshest pasta in town! Add thinly sliced zucchini and quartered cherry tomatoes to your lunch or dinner for a quick but satisfying meal.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. dried whole wheat pasta
  • 1 zucchini, thinly sliced with an OXO Adjustable Hand-Held Mandoline Slicer
  • 20 cherry tomatoes, quarter with an OXO Grape & Tomato Cutter
  • 2 cups store-bought marinara pasta sauce
  • 2/3 cup shredded assorted cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring lightly salted pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain pasta in a colander and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, heat a pan over medium heat and cook zucchini slices for about 1-2 minutes. Add quartered tomatoes and cook for an additional minute. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
  3. Pour pasta into a serving dish. Top with zucchini, tomatoes, warmed pasta sauce, and cheese.
  4. Serve and enjoy!

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13 Replies to “Zucchini Tomato Marinara Pasta with #OXO”

  1. I love a good pasta dish, especially for weeknight dinners, and this pasta looks both delicious and refreshing. And oh my god, I soo know what you mean about kitchen gadgets. I try not to get anything that I wouldn’t really need, but I really can’t help it. I’m in love with my spiralizer and my immersion blender. Among other things. And now, I’m looking at Cake Boss mixing bowls and cast iron skillets. *sigh* Life of a food blogger, right? Oh, and that tomato slicer looks fun to play with. lol

    1. Another wallflower! We should all start a club.

    2. haha right?? Kitchen gadgets are SO addicting–I can’t stash enough of them up, but I’m so dreading the day when I have to move everything! Also OOH CAKE BOSS. Lemme know if you get anything good! <3

  2. So much fun! I love that you get your happy on over a new kitchen appliance, especially one that is that specific. I always joke about handling grapes with particular care, but have never actually done so. Love your simple dish, looks super tasty. 🙂

    1. I know!! I feel like it’s something I’d joke about too, but seriously–it’s SO NEAT. I can’t stop playing with it haha. Happy Wednesday, Anna dear!

  3. I get so excited by kitchen gadgets! I’m literally like a child with a new toy when I get a new one. I love simple pasta dishes like this, so comforting and fulfilling!

    1. hahaha I know! We’re definitely on the same wavelength here–people were just like, dude, what is she doing… <3

  4. “EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!” YAY for your new kitchen gadgets! And what a fabulous recipe to use them in!

    1. YAYYYY yes! Hopping over to your blog to say hello again right now btw <3

  5. We love pasta, and eat it a lot. At this time of the year the tomatoes will either be canned, or grape/cherry ones — everything else tastes like cardboard. So you know this recipe is something we’d like. Kitchen gadgets are fun, aren’t they? Can never have too many!

    1. haha yes! I have too many to close all of the drawers in my kitchen properly now, John 🙁 I might need an intervention lol

  6. Love this dish! It’s going to be dinner tonight for sure!

    1. YAY! I hope you love it, Meriem! Happy Wednesday!

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