Festive Fusilli

Brighten up your dinner table with Festive Fusilli, a vibrant and wholesome pasta dish that's as colorful as it is delicious. Packed with tender fusilli, fresh cherry tomatoes, sweet red bell peppers, zucchini, and protein-rich chickpeas, this recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures. A rich tomato passata forms the base of the sauce, elevated with garlic, dried oregano, and a touch of optional chili flakes for subtle heat. Finished with fragrant fresh basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this quick and easy recipe comes together in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Whether you're looking for a vegetarian pasta option or a comforting crowd-pleaser, Festive Fusilli checks all the boxes!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams fusilli pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 250 grams cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 200 grams cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 400 grams tomato passata
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 10 grams fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 3

Add the cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, and zucchini to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 4

Stir in the cooked chickpeas, tomato passata, oregano, and red chili flakes (if using). Season with salt and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 5

Add the cooked fusilli pasta to the skillet and stir to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if necessary.

Step 7

Sprinkle the chopped basil over the pasta and toss gently to combine.

Step 8

Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your Festive Fusilli!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1579.1 grams (1579.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2437

Total Fat 55.30g	71%
Saturated Fat 15.30g	77%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 40mg	13%
Sodium 3484mg	151%
Total Carbohydrate 392.00g	143%
Dietary Fiber 39.60g	141%
Total Sugars 47.70g
Protein 96.50g	193%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 866mg	67%
Iron 15mg	84%
Potassium 3394mg	72%

*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: 20.3%

Protein: 15.7%

Carbs: 64.0%