Plant-Based Zucchini Cream Pasta

This plant-based pasta is silky, satisfying, and packed with flavor. A velvety zucchini-garlic sauce coats al dente pasta, topped with ribbons of Prime Roots Smoked Ham-Inspired Clean Plant Protein, toasted panko, and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast. Optional lemon zest and black pepper add brightness and depth. Comforting, fresh, and ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

2 medium zucchini, chopped
1 clove garlic
6 oz pasta
1/2 cup reserved pasta water (more as needed)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
2–3 slices Prime Roots Smoked Koji-Ham, sliced into ribbons
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
Optional: black pepper, lemon zest, fresh basil

Instructions

Toast the panko:

In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast panko until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
Cook the pasta:

In salted water, cook your pasta until al dente. Reserve at least 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
Make the creamy zucchini sauce:

In a sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped zucchini, a smashed clove of garlic and a pinch of salt. Cook until very soft and jammy (about 10–15 minutes), stirring occasionally.
Blend the sauce:

Once the zucchini is tender, transfer it to a blender and blend with 1/2 cup of pasta water until smooth and creamy. Add more water if needed to reach a velvety texture.
Combine:

Add drained pasta back into the pot with the creamy zucchini sauce. Stir over low heat until the pasta is well-coated and warmed through.
Top and serve:

Plate the pasta and top generously with nutritional yeast, ribbons of Prime Roots Koji-Ham, and toasted panko. Add a crack of black pepper or lemon zest if you’d like.

Prime Roots

Prime Roots is bringing deli meats back to the basics, with a twist: simple, high-quality ingredients that deliver incredible flavor, powered by clean plant proteins. With Prime Roots, there’s no need to choose between taste and what’s in your food. Prime Roots deli slices are sliced fresh in store, made to satisfy, with all the rich, savory flavors you expect and none of the extras you don’t. Prime Roots makes every bite as delicious, and clean, as it should be.