Pasta with Tomatoes, Zucchini and Pesto {Easy Summer Recipe}

Summer is a great time to cook lighter and cheaper meals. I love getting all the in season produce at my local stores, farm markets and road side stands. How about you? Do you cook much in the summer? What are some of your favorite summer recipes? 

Check out this yummy pasta dish which is featured in the August issue of Woman’s Day, now on newsstands across the nation, features two covers and plenty of ways to cut down on costs while allowing you to live and eat the way you want to. 

Pasta with Tomatoes, Zucchini and Pesto

Serves 4 - $1.62 per serving

Ingredients

·         12 oz. fettuccine

·         2 small zucchini (about 8 oz. total)

·         1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

·         1 Tbsp. olive oil

·         1/3 cup pesto

·         Kosher salt and pepper

·         4 oz. bocconcini (small fresh mozzarella balls), halved

·         Torn fresh basil leaves, for serving

 Directions

1.       Cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve ¾ cup cooking liquid, drain the pasta and return it to the pot.

2.       Meanwhile, grate the zucchini on the large holes of a box grater, turning the zucchini to grate the outside first (discard the soft core). In a large bowl, toss together the tomatoes, olive oil, 2 Tbsp. pesto and ¼ tsp each salt and pepper. Fold in the zucchini and mozzarella.

3.       Toss the pasta with the remaining pesto and ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water (adding more if the pasta seems dry). Fold in the tomato-zucchini mixture and sprinkle with basil, if desired.

Here are the two covers for the August issue of Women's Day. Have you seen them? Have you picked one up? Want to chime in? Tell us which cover is your favorite at www.facebook.com/womansdaymagazine. Thanks to Women's Day for giving me permission to repost this recipe. ENJOY!

More Easy Summer Recipes

Best Ever Brownies - everyone loves these!
Mango Salsa
Avocado Feta Salad 
Chunky Guacamole
Blueberry Vinaigrette for easy salad dressing
Easy Chicken Tostadas 
Corn on the Cob with Lime-Chive Butter
Easy Pork Tacos
Aunt Salad
Honolulu Burgers
Spinach Strawberry Salad
Kid Approved Summer Meals
8 Salsa Recipes