Vegetarian Spaghetti with Chicken and Garlic Butter Sauce

Elevate your pasta night with this delightful Vegetarian Spaghetti with Garlic Butter Sauce—a vibrant and satisfying dish that's light yet packed with flavor. Featuring tender zucchini, yellow squash, juicy cherry tomatoes, and nutrient-rich baby spinach, this recipe puts fresh vegetables in the spotlight. Tossed in a luxurious garlic butter sauce with a hint of red pepper flakes for subtle heat, every strand of spaghetti is coated in indulgent, aromatic goodness. This easy-to-make meal comes together in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights while still feeling sophisticated enough for a dinner party. Garnish with freshly grated vegetarian Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley for a burst of freshness, and let this dish become your new go-to pasta recipe for any occasion.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 medium yellow squash, diced
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (optional, vegetarian-friendly)
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the spaghetti and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the diced zucchini and yellow squash to the skillet. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until they are softened and lightly browned. Add the cherry tomatoes and baby spinach to the skillet, cooking for another 2–3 minutes until the spinach wilts. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, melt the butter over low heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1–2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.

Step 5

Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss to coat the spaghetti evenly in the sauce. If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce.

Step 6

Return the sautéed vegetables to the skillet and stir until everything is well combined. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 7

Remove from heat and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired, and fresh parsley for garnish.

Step 8

Serve immediately and enjoy your Vegetarian Spaghetti with Garlic Butter Sauce!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1280.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2021.5

Total Fat 134.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 66.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 271.5mg	0%
Sodium 4122.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 139.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.9g	0%
Total Sugars 17.6g
Protein 72.7g	0%

Vitamin D 25.6IU	0%
Calcium 1655.0mg	0%
Iron 12.0mg	0%
Potassium 2021.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.8%

Protein: 14.1%

Carbs: 27.1%