Vegetarian Tuscan Pasta

Happy March! With springtime right around the corner, we’ve been dreaming of sitting on a sunny patio enjoying a glass of wine and a good meal – preferably one that involves fluffy bread and some delicious homemade basil pesto. Inspired by our love of carbs and Italian flavors, we crafted this light and healthy pasta dish: vegetarian tuscan pasta.

In college, Alex’s parents gifted him a box of Penzeys, and since then have gifted the two of us more spices over the years. Having some unique spice blends on hand inspired us to start cooking more and experiment with different flavor profiles. It has helped us learn what flavors we like and don’t like, and how different spices interact with each other and the ingredients they’re used with. We’ve learned a lot about cooking just by trying new things – so don’t be afraid to experiment with your own spice blends and see what you like!

Our vegetarian Tuscan pasta uses simple, fresh ingredients for the best flavor:

• Fresh vine tomatoes
• Minced garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Penzeys Tuscan Sunset seasoning
• Fresh basil leaves
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Crushed red pepper flakes

We’ll be honest – we cheated a little to make this delicious pasta super easy, so anyone can make it in 20 minutes or less! We love cooking, but some nights we just need something quick and easy for dinner. That being said, we sometimes rely on Penzeys Spices for delicious flavor in a pinch.

Penzeys Tuscan Sunset seasoning is a blend of basil, oregano, red bell pepper, garlic, thyme, fennel, black pepper, and anise. It’s a well-balanced seasoning that pairs perfectly with fresh tomatoes and olive oil. Using penne pasta as our base, we started with those ingredients and then added garlic, a key ingredient in any Italian dish. Finally, we garnished our pasta with fresh basil, parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes for an extra layer of classic Italian flavor.

If you don’t have Penzeys Tuscan Sunset seasoning, try experimenting with different ratios of Italian herbs to create your own blend! Tuscan seasoning generally has a more peppery flavor than a classic Italian seasoning, so don’t shy away from the black pepper. Balance it with some sweetness from fennel or anise, and make sure to use plenty of oregano, garlic, and thyme for added robustness. Playing with different flavors and taste-testing for what you like is one of the best ways to improve your cooking skills.

How To Make Vegetarian Tuscan Pasta

Coming together in just 20 minutes, vegetarian tuscan pasta is a simple and easy solution to a weeknight dinner. Unique vegetarian pasta recipes don’t get any easier or better than this. Here is everything you need to know to make vegetarian tuscan pasta!

1. Bring a lightly salted pot of water to a boil. Add penne and cook for 12 to 13 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. In the meantime, heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until fragrant.
3. Add diced tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Lower heat and cook down for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Drain the cooked pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Set aside.
5. Add Penzey’s Tuscan Sunset seasoning and pasta water to the tomatoes. Stir to combine and cook for another 2 minutes.
6. Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the cooked pasta. Add fresh basil leaves if desired.
7. Serve hot with an optional sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.

Our easy Vegetarian Tuscan Pasta is the perfect answer to a busy weeknight. It’s flavorful, complex, and satisfying without being heavy like some pasta dishes. And it doesn’t require too much time in the kitchen, so you can spend more time eating and enjoying this delicious meal with friends and family – the Italian way!

Hope you enjoy! And let us know what you think by rating, commeting, and sharing below!