Basil Vinaigrette Pasta

BY: April Mallare

POSTED: March 4, 2025

IN: Appetizer

For the Pasta:

1 pound pasta
2 tablespoons Bella Nonnas Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Optional: Lemon, Basil or Garlic
2 cloves garlic
2 shallots thinly sliced
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 zucchini cut into coins and quartered
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
1 lemon juiced
Fresh basil and parmesan to garnish

For the Basil Vinaigrette:

1 shallot roughly chopped
2 cups tightly packed fresh basil leaves stems removed (about 4 ounces)
1 clove garlic
½ teaspoons red pepper flakes
½ cup Bella Nonnas Basil Olive Oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Add the garlic and shallot and red pepper flakes and sauté until fragrant.

Add the zucchini and saute until just soft. Add the pasta and ½ cup of basil vinaigrette and toss to combine. Add more basil vinaigrette as needed. Season with salt and pepper and lemon juice and serve.

For the Basil Vinaigrette:

Combine all the ingredients for the basil vinaigrette in a high powered blender and blend for 60 seconds until very smooth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Notes:

While we automatically think of basil as a pasta pairing, feel free to use any flavored vinaigrette you love. I find they last up to a week in the fridge, so I always have at least one vinaigrette going at a time.

Bacon Egg Bites

Turkey or Chicken Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner

Ingredients: 1 lb sliced Turkey or Chicken Sausage 1 red bell pepper, seeds removed and thinly sliced 1 green bell pepper, seeds removed and thinly sliced 2 cubed sweet potatoes or carrots 2 cups broccoli florets ½ red onion, thinly sliced ¼ cup Bella Nonnas Persian Lime Olive Oil 2 teaspoons coarse salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon chili pepper flakes ½ teaspoon cayenne […]

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper, seeds removed and thinly sliced 1 green bell pepper, seeds removed and thinly sliced 1 orange bell pepper, seeds removed and thinly sliced ½ red onion, thinly sliced ¼ cup Bella Nonnas Persian Lime Olive Oil 2 teaspoons coarse salt 1 ½ teaspoons cumin 1 ½ teaspoons ancho chili powder ½ teaspoon ground black […]