Vegetable Garden Pasta Medley
A vibrant vegetable pasta medley featuring fresh cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and olives, coated in a yogurt-based sauce. Perfect for a light, healthy, and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- 1 small zucchini, cut into julienne strips ⓘ
- 1 pt. cherry tomatoes, cut in half ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sliced pitted ripe olives ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil ⓘ
- 6 oz. corkscrew pasta ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients, except pasta, in a large bowl, tossing well.
- Cover and let stand at room temperature.
- Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.
- Drain the pasta.
- Combine cooked pasta and vegetable mixture in a large saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until thoroughly heated.
- Serve immediately.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier dish, consider adding grilled chicken or shrimp. You can easily substitute the corkscrew pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free varieties. If you don’t have cherry tomatoes, diced regular tomatoes work well. To enhance the flavor, sauté the garlic before mixing it with the other vegetables. This Vegetable Garden Pasta Medley is versatile, and you can adjust the herbs based on your preference.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Vegetable Garden Pasta Medley warm, garnished with additional fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil. This dish pairs beautifully with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. For a refreshing contrast, consider serving it alongside Gazpacho Verde. It’s also great as a light lunch option or picnic dish.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheating, add a splash of water or extra yogurt to prevent the pasta from drying out. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through. Avoid reheating multiple times to maintain quality.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Vegetable Garden Pasta Medley contains roughly 183 calories, with 7g protein, 41g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (93% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (73% of the Daily Value), and calcium (56% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 678mg per serving (29% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I add more protein to this recipe?
To increase the protein content, consider adding cooked beans like chickpeas or lentils. Grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu can also be mixed in for a protein boost. These additions not only enhance the nutritional value but also complement the flavors of this vibrant dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).