Description
A creamy and flavorful pasta dish combining tender courgettes, rich double cream, and vibrant tomato sauce infused with oregano and a hint of chili. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal that comes together quickly on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 courgette, finely chopped
- 1 tsp chilli flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 400g can chopped tomatoes
- 150ml double cream
- 15g oregano, chopped
Pasta & Toppings
- 400g penne
- 50g Grana Padano, grated
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce base: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes until they are soft and fragrant, creating a flavorful foundation for the sauce.
- Add courgette and tomatoes: Stir in the chopped courgette, optional chilli flakes, tomato purée, and canned chopped tomatoes. Mix well to combine all ingredients and let the mixture simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the courgettes are tender and the sauce has slightly thickened.
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the penne pasta in boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of the cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency later.
- Finish the sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Stir the double cream into the tomato and courgette sauce and let it warm through for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Season well with salt and pepper, then stir in the chopped oregano for a fresh herbaceous note.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen it up. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy tomato sauce.
- Serve and garnish: Serve the creamy courgette and tomato pasta topped generously with grated Grana Padano cheese for a rich, savory finish. Enjoy immediately while warm.
Notes
- You can substitute Grana Padano with Parmesan if unavailable.
- Adjust the amount of chilli flakes based on your heat preference or omit for a milder dish.
- For a lighter version, use single cream instead of double cream.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Fresh oregano adds the best flavor, but dried oregano can be used in a pinch; reduce the quantity accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: tomato pasta, courgette pasta, creamy pasta, vegetarian pasta, Italian pasta recipe, oregano pasta, penne pasta recipe
