“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”
If you were standing in my apartment earlier this morning, that would have been the inarticulate sound from the kitchen.
Now before you panic (oh my god, there’s a MANDOLIN SLICER in her photos!!!), I can assure you that it wasn’t a scream of pain.
No, my friends–that was a shriek of pure joy issuing in glass-shattering pitch as I played with my newest kitchen toy. And I am so so so excited to share it with all of you today–can you tell?
OXO recently sent me another lovely bundle for my pasta-making lazy days: this Adjustable Hand-Held Mandoline Slicer, a Grape & Tomato Cutter, and a beautifully sturdy Rice & Grains Washing Colander with a draining spout near the top edge for easy pouring. Now as a gal who doesn’t often indulge in acquiring “kitchen gadgets” (okay, maybe the bread maker I got for Christmas is an exception. And the confectioner’s sugar dusting wand. And the Mickey Mouse ice cream scoop….oh fine, I love kitchen gadgets), the arrival of these wonderful toys via mail could only mean one thing: pasta play day!
By noontime, thinly sliced zucchini was sizzling on the stovetop and my pasta was happily draining al dente in its colander. With all of the craziness happening around here lately, it was a relief to just spend an hour in the kitchen cooking, slicing, photographing, and–best of all–eating a truly homecooked meal.
Even I was surprised at how fresh this whole meal tasted–with whole wheat pasta, lightly cooked zucchini, quartered cherry tomatoes, a dollop of marinara sauce, and a sprinkling of assorted cheeses, this pasta is giving me the physical, emotional, and mental fuel to get through the rest of this crazy day (I’m currently preparing a guest lecture for Tuesday’s English survey course and am slightly freaking out, but don’t mind me).
That’s a lot with which to credit a bowl of pasta, but seriously, guys. Go forth, make pasta, and be happy!
Happy pasta-making, everyone!
Zucchini Tomato Marinara Pasta with #OXO
The easiest and freshest pasta in town! Add thinly sliced zucchini and quartered cherry tomatoes to your lunch or dinner for a quick but satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. dried whole wheat pasta
- 1 zucchini, thinly sliced with an OXO Adjustable Hand-Held Mandoline Slicer
- 20 cherry tomatoes, quarter with an OXO Grape & Tomato Cutter
- 2 cups store-bought marinara pasta sauce
- 2/3 cup shredded assorted cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring lightly salted pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain pasta in a colander and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat a pan over medium heat and cook zucchini slices for about 1-2 minutes. Add quartered tomatoes and cook for an additional minute. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Pour pasta into a serving dish. Top with zucchini, tomatoes, warmed pasta sauce, and cheese.
- Serve and enjoy!
I love a good pasta dish, especially for weeknight dinners, and this pasta looks both delicious and refreshing. And oh my god, I soo know what you mean about kitchen gadgets. I try not to get anything that I wouldn’t really need, but I really can’t help it. I’m in love with my spiralizer and my immersion blender. Among other things. And now, I’m looking at Cake Boss mixing bowls and cast iron skillets. *sigh* Life of a food blogger, right? Oh, and that tomato slicer looks fun to play with. lol
Another wallflower! We should all start a club.
haha right?? Kitchen gadgets are SO addicting–I can’t stash enough of them up, but I’m so dreading the day when I have to move everything! Also OOH CAKE BOSS. Lemme know if you get anything good! <3
So much fun! I love that you get your happy on over a new kitchen appliance, especially one that is that specific. I always joke about handling grapes with particular care, but have never actually done so. Love your simple dish, looks super tasty. 🙂
I know!! I feel like it’s something I’d joke about too, but seriously–it’s SO NEAT. I can’t stop playing with it haha. Happy Wednesday, Anna dear!
I get so excited by kitchen gadgets! I’m literally like a child with a new toy when I get a new one. I love simple pasta dishes like this, so comforting and fulfilling!
hahaha I know! We’re definitely on the same wavelength here–people were just like, dude, what is she doing… <3
“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!” YAY for your new kitchen gadgets! And what a fabulous recipe to use them in!
YAYYYY yes! Hopping over to your blog to say hello again right now btw <3
We love pasta, and eat it a lot. At this time of the year the tomatoes will either be canned, or grape/cherry ones — everything else tastes like cardboard. So you know this recipe is something we’d like. Kitchen gadgets are fun, aren’t they? Can never have too many!
haha yes! I have too many to close all of the drawers in my kitchen properly now, John 🙁 I might need an intervention lol
Love this dish! It’s going to be dinner tonight for sure!
YAY! I hope you love it, Meriem! Happy Wednesday!