Cheesy Pasta with Avocado Crunch and Roasted Zucchini
- Serves
- 4 servings
- Prep
- 8 min
- Cook
- 22 min
- Cost
- $11.50
- Nutrition
- 480 cal · 16g protein
- quick
- meatless
🍳 2 pans · Picky-eater safe bet: plain noodles
Cheesy Pasta with Avocado Crunch and Roasted Zucchini is a weeknight dinner that serves 4 and is on the table in about 30 minutes, for around $12 in groceries. You'll need 2 pans, and the 8 ingredients below are everyday supermarket items. Cooking for a picky eater? Plain noodles works on its own for the one who won't try the rest. Add it to your week and the whole grocery list lands in your Instacart cart in one tap.
Goes with: Garlic bread (10 min)
Contains: Dairy · Gluten— based on the ingredients; brands vary, so check labels.
Cookware you'll need
Set these out before you start — it saves hunting through drawers mid-recipe.
- 5–6 quart Dutch ovenDon't have one? Amazon →
- 3-quart saucepan with lidDon't have one? Amazon →
- Rimmed half-sheet panDon't have one? Amazon →
- 12-inch locking tongsDon't have one? Amazon →
- ColanderDon't have one? Amazon →
- 8-inch chef's knifeDon't have one? Amazon →
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Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 1½ lb zucchini
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1½ cups milk
- 2 fresh avocado
- 1 jalapeño pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Steps
- Preheat oven to 425°F; cut zucchini into 1/4-inch half-moons, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a sheet pan, spread in one layer, and roast 12–14 minutes until golden.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add elbow pasta, and cook according to package directions; drain and return to the pot.
- Add butter and milk to the drained pasta over low heat, then stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy, stirring constantly; season with salt and pepper.
- Halve, pit, and slice avocados; thinly slice jalapeño (remove seeds for less heat).
- Divide cheesy pasta among 4 bowls, top each with roasted zucchini, avocado slices, and a sprinkle of jalapeño, and serve immediately.
On the side: Garlic bread (10 min)
1 package frozen garlic bread
- Bake the garlic bread as the package directs, about 10 minutes, until golden.
Nutrition per serving
- Protein
- 16 g
- Carbohydrates
- 54 g
- Fiber
- 7 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Fat
- 20 g
- Saturated fat
- 8 g
- Sodium
- 580 mg
Estimated from the ingredients and amounts in this recipe; brands and portions vary. Not medical or dietary advice.
Photo: Michelle Brittain / Unsplash