Evelyn's Favorite Pasta (Cheesecake Factory Copycat)

5 stars from 1 review

Evelyn's Favorite Pasta (Cheesecake Factory Copycat)

Evelyn’s Favorite Pasta is made with broccoli, asparagus, bell peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, and Parmesan. Bursting with veggies and cheese!

Author: Donna Elick

Servings:

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Ingredients

10 ounces penne pasta
kosher salt
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion sliced
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup cut asparagus sliced diagonally
1 red bell pepper sliced thin
1 medium zucchini sliced and halved
3 small roma tomatoes diced
3 garlic cloves minced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese divided
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
lemon zest for garnish

Instructions

Cook the pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and set it aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large and deep skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the onion, broccoli, asparagus, red pepper, zucchini, tomatoes, and season with salt to taste. Saute for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Saute for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in the lemon juice and reserved pasta water, and bring it back to a simmer.
Add the cooked pasta and half of the shredded Parmesan cheese to the skillet.
Cook and stir until the cheese has melted and is fully incorporated.
Stir in the fresh parsley and basil to add a burst of flavor.
Garnish with lemon zest and the remaining half of the Parmesan cheese.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

You can customize this pasta dish by adding or substituting vegetables according to your preference. Feel free to include other favorites like mushrooms, or spinach.

For a creamier sauce, you can add a splash of heavy cream or cream cheese to the skillet along with the lemon juice and pasta water.

Adjust the seasoning to taste by adding more salt, or Italian seasoning if desired.

To make it a complete meal, you can add cooked chicken or shrimp to the pasta during the last few minutes of cooking, or serve it alongside grilled meat or fish.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or olive oil to prevent drying out.

Garnish with additional chopped herbs or grated Parmesan cheese before serving for added freshness and flavor.
Experiment with different types of pasta shapes to change the texture and appearance of the dish.

Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the pasta just before serving to enhance the citrusy flavors.

Feel free to adjust the quantities of ingredients based on your preferences and the number of servings needed.

Nutrition