Lemon-Pepper Zucchini Pasta With Dill
Published Aug. 13, 2025

- Total Time
- 35 minutes
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Cook Time
- 25 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- Salt and black pepper
- 1large zucchini, cut into ½-inch-thick half-moons
- 1lemon
- ¼ cup chopped dill, plus more for garnish
- 1pound spaghetti or linguine
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3tablespoons white miso
- 2tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2garlic cloves, minced
- 4ounces pecorino, finely grated (about 3¼ cups)
Preparation
- Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. On a cutting board or in a bowl, sprinkle the zucchini with ½ teaspoon kosher salt or ¼ teaspoon fine salt. Toss to combine and let sit for at least 10 minutes (and up to 30 minutes) to draw out excess moisture.
- Step 2
Zest the lemon right into a medium bowl and add the dill and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Mix to combine. Cut the lemon into wedges.
- Step 3
Cook the pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Reserve 1½ cups pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Step 4
Meanwhile, pat the zucchini very dry. Heat a large, deep skillet over high, then add the oil. Add the zucchini, spread in an even layer and cook, undisturbed, until browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Flip the pieces and cook until tender yet crisp, about 1 minute longer. Transfer the zucchini to the bowl with the lemon zest and toss together.
- Step 5
Turn the heat down to medium and add the miso, butter, garlic and pasta water. Whisk until the miso dissolves and the liquid is simmering, 1 to 3 minutes. Add the pasta, pecorino and zucchini mixture. Cook, stirring vigorously with tongs, until the cheese melts and the sauce coats everything. Garnish with more dill and pepper, and serve with lemon wedges.
Private Notes
Comments
My recommendation is to double the zucchini, even triple for that amount of pasta. Also, I mixed some of the hot pasta water with the grated pecorino and stirred in off the heat because I’m terrified of the stringy cheese effect…haha
Delicious and simple — perfect timing since it’s zucchini season. I added garbanzo beans for extra protein.
4 ounces of pecorino should be about one cup, not more than 3.
A simple, delicious way to impress with minimal ingredients! I would add more zucchini and shrimp for some added protein!
Made this tonight. It’s delicious! However, i wish I’d doubled (or even tripled) the zucchini. It’s delicious in this preparation and especially plentiful at this time of year. (And I doubled the garlic, per usual—I love garlic!)
Superb! Miso adds a nice creaminess. Will use more zucchini next time, likely next week when I make it again!