Quick Creamy Courgette Pasta

A six ingredient supper for you! This creamy courgette pasta is so quick and easy, delicious and full of goodness too. You can have this one on the table in the time it takes to cook the pasta, which makes it a quick, weeknight staple. Sometimes it really is the simplest recipes that are the best.

This is a courgette pasta which really only uses a handful of ingredients which means every ingredient sings and you can really taste the flavours. Delicate grated courgette paired with heaps of parmesan and a dollop of creme fraiche, this is really so good. I love using courgette with pasta, it just works so well, like the recipe made famous by Stanley Tucci in his famous series Searching For Italy, also known as Spaghetti Alla Nerano This is the weeknight version of that - it's a quick, healthy and delicious supper.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• It's an easy midweek dinner that comes together in 15 minutes max.
• It takes very few ingredients to make this vegetarian dinner that everyone will love.
• The combination of courgette, creme fraiche and garlic makes for a delicious bowl of pasta.

Ingredients

The full recipe is below, scroll down to the printable recipe card below for the exact measurements.

Courgette - courgettes are in season all throughout spring and summer, this is when they’re at their best and work well in a recipe like this where they are just lightly cooked.

Crème fraiche - go for full fat, it really is creamier and we love using good whole ingredients.

Garlic - I find one garlic clove is perfect here since courgettes have a delicate flavour.

Parmesan - this adds a great umami hit to the pasta. You could use Grana Padano or Pecorino too. If making for vegetarians, check the packaging as proper Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano) is not vegetarian.

Linguine - I like linguine as the long shape lends itself well to the creamy sauce. But any pasta shape works.

Substitutions and Variations

Make it gluten free: Swap in your favourite gluten-free spaghetti or linguine.

Make it vegan: Swap for vegan parmesan (or use nutritional yeast) and swap the creme fraiche for vegan creme fraiche. Oatly do a good one.

Parmesan - use pecorino or any hard Italian cheese should work. If making for vegetarians, make sure you check the label on the packaging.

Vegetables - this courgette pasta would also be very good with a handful of baby spinach. Add it in at the same time or in place of the courgette.

Add bacon - adding crispy bacon would be really good. Fry the bacon then add the courgette to the pan as the recipe states.

Herbs - add basil, parsley or chives at the end for a fresh note.

Here's How To Make Creamy Courgette Pasta

The full recipe is at the bottom of the page, as usual, and it has more details but the below is an easy step-by-step guide.

ONE: Get your pasta on to boil in boiling salty water. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and add the grated courgette to the pan.

SECOND: Cook for a couple of mins or until soft but not starting to brown. Then add the garlic and cook for a minute longer. Season well.

THREE: Add the creme fraiche to the pan and give it a good mix. 

FOUR: This is the texture of the sauce you are after.

FIVE: Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta cooking water. Add to the creamy courgette sauce. Turn the heat down to low and give it all a good toss to combine. Cook for another minute or so until the pasta is cooked to your liking. 

SIX: Add half the Parmesan and a little of the pasta water too if you need to loosen the sauce. Season to taste. Add the chilli flakes. Scoop into bowls and sprinkle the rest of the parmesan on the top. Enjoy!

Cooking Tips

Pasta water: Get into the habit of saving the pasta water when you drain your pasta. In this recipe, the starchy pasta water is a key ingredient to make the sauce silky and smooth.

Grating the courgettes: You could also use a julienne peeler for thin ribbons of courgette. It looks a little different but will be delicious as it has the same shape as the linguine so you get a bite of both.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other recipes you might like

If you liked this courgette pasta, try my Tomato and Nduja Pasta, Caramelised Onion & Brown Butter Pasta or my Creamy Lemon Pasta (no courgettes). For something a bit more indulgent, try my Lemony Courgette Carbonara.

Made this recipe and loved it?

I would love love LOVE if you could leave a review in the comments…  I love hearing what you thought, any changes you made, the stories behind what made you try my recipes. Also, if you share a photo on Instagram, please tag me @desertislanddishes, it makes my day to see you making my creations!

Quick Creamy Courgette Pasta

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This 15 minute creamy courgette pasta will become a weeknight staple in your house. Grating the courgette is a hack to ensure it cooks quickly and evenly.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4
• Category: Pasta
• Method: Stove Top
• Cuisine: Global
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 3 medium courgettes, coarsely grated
• 1 garlic clove crushed
• Handful of grated Parmesan
• 200g creme fraiche
• ½ tsp chilli flakes
• 400g linguine

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Instructions

1. Get your pasta on to boil in boiling salty water. Cook for about 2 minutes less than the packet says, you want it to still have a bit of bite to it as you will finish cooking it in the sauce.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and add the grated courgette to the pan. Cook for a couple of mins or until soft but not starting to brown. Then add the garlic and cook for a minute longer. Season well.
3. Add the creme fraiche to the pan and give it a good mix. 
4. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta cooking water. Add to the creamy courgette sauce. Turn the heat down to low and give it all a good toss to combine. Cook for another minute or so until the pasta is cooked to your liking. 
5. Add half the Parmesan and a little of the pasta water too if you need to loosen the sauce. Season to taste. Add the chilli flakes.
6. Scoop into bowls and sprinkle the rest of the parmesan on the top.Enjoy!

Notes

Scroll up to see a step by step guide on how to make this courgette pasta.

To store: Transfer to an airtight container for 3 days and keep in the fridge.

To reheat: Add to a pan over medium heat with a splash of boiling water. Stir frequently, tossing together until it's smooth and creamy again. Otherwise, the microwave for 1-2 minutes is a good option.

To freeze: I wouldn't freeze this recipe as I find the pasta develops a weird texture once frozen and then defrosted.

Make ahead: You shouldn't need to prep ahead as it takes 15 minutes from start to finish. You could grate the courgette ahead of time and keep in the fridge in an airtight container for a few hours. Then you can put it straight in the pan when ready to cook. 

Parmesan: use pecorino or any hard Italian cheese should work. If making for vegetarians, make sure you check the label on the packaging.

Vegetables: this courgette pasta would also be very good with a handful of baby spinach. Add it in at the same time or in place of the courgette.

Add bacon: adding crispy bacon would be really good. Fry the bacon then add the courgette to the pan as the recipe states.

Herbs: add basil, parsley or chives at the end for a fresh note.