Covered in flavorful pesto and grilled to smoky perfection, these grilled vegetables and penne pasta are an easy and totally amazing vegetarian dinner for the summer!
Sarah takes on grilled summer veggies. Part TWO, y’all!!
To be honest, I’m not even sure how these veggies can be real life. They are so, so, SO gosh-darn, hug-yerself GOOD.
And fitting rather nicely into our grilling theme for this week if I do say so myself.
P.S and before I forget: Psychhhhhhh! I bet you certainly didn’t think you’d see a vegetarian option on the blog at all this week, but I clearly like to keep y’all on your toes. —>
And grilled vegetable surprises may very well be the best kind. Like these pesto-smothered beauties for instance?
These are so amazeballs, they’re practically neck and neck with their cousin the marinated summer veggies. And I kid you not, that recipe is EXPLODING right now on the blog. I’m not the only one in a total summer veggie mode.
As with that recipe, today as you can clearly see, we’re using a legit rainbow of veggies. Colorful food = PRETTY food and you can’t deny that these are totally gorgeous.
If by any chance you don’t care for any of the veggies I’ve included in the ingredient list, no worries! Just swap ’em out for your favorites. I’ll try to just cry silent tears. ??
As for the pesto, you can use any pre-made kind you want OR you can make your own. I linked up one of my faaaaaaavorite pesto recipes in the recipe below.
Seriously, my favorite. You should probably make a triple batch NAO so you can have these grilled vegetables every.dang.day for the next three months of summer.
In fact…
Cancel all your other plans for the summer. You’ve got a hot grilled veggie date. ??
Pesto-Grilled Summer Vegetables with Penne
Ingredients
- 2 small summer squash sliced 1/4-in thick
- 2 small zucchini sliced 1/4-in thick
- 1/2 lb fresh asparagus trimmed and cut in half widthwise
- 1 large sweet pepper sliced 1/4-in thick into strips
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 oz penne pasta cooked according to package instructions
Instructions
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In a small bowl, toss squash, zucchini asparagus, pepper, garlic, and basil pesto until evenly combined. Season veggies with salt and pepper to taste.
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Grill veggies on nonstick tin foil over medium-high heat stirring occasionally until veggies are slightly charred and tender, about 8-10 minutes.
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Serve grilled veggies warm with hot penne pasta. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Looking for a perfect pesto recipe? Try this one!
This is definitely summer on a plate…love the pretty colors! And, of course, the pesto! I could eat pesto with just a spoon, I love it that much, so this penne is calling my name. Sounds perfect for a light summer meal!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Blueberry Sorbet Punch
Oh, I totally eat pesto by the spoonful. It’s just so good!
I LOVE grilled vegetables! And pasta. Pasta too. Next time I’ll make them with pesto, sounds delicious!
Vivian | stayaliveandcooking recently posted…Roasted vegetable dish with thyme
Let me know if you give this one a go, Vivian!! 🙂
Sarah this is GORGEOUS! I am a bit of a chicken when it comes to grilling anything other than meat, but I definitely need to change that this summer. I can’t wait for those first veggies popping out of the ground!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel recently posted…Creamy Italian Potato Salad
You are tooooo sweet, Ashley!! Thanks for all the sweet words, girl! xoxo
For me, summer is not summer without pesto and grilled veggies .. so this recipe is a huge WIN and amazing!!!!!! love this and totally happening over here!
Exactly my point of view on summer! It’s just gotta have veggies. 😉
Girl this is so timely! Just last night I made pesto at home and now I know what to do with it!! I love roasted veggies so this is totally my kind of meal!
Ami@NaiveCookCooks recently posted…Easy Vegetarian Lasagna + GIVEAWAY
That sounds like pesto destiny to me!! Thanks Ami!
Aren’t grilled veggies the BEST! I love this!! I can’t wait to make this one!
Annie recently posted…Lima Bean Salsa
Totally the best part about summer!!
I’m such a grilling scaredy-cat so I can’t do the actual open flame. But, I’ve got a grill pans AND a George Foreman grill. You think I could cheat using either of those? I’d love to still make this dish.
Yes either would work fine Ella!!
Do you mix anything in with the pasta or just eat it plain?? Thanks!
Nope! As the recipe tells you, the grilled veggies just go with the plain pasta. 🙂
I’m having trouble with the link to the pesto sauce and it’s my absolute favorite. Help please!
Help! I’m having trouble with he pesto link and that is my absolute fav pesto recipe. Help please!
Here’s the link, Sara! I’ll go in and make sure that the link in the recipe is fixed. 🙂 So sorry for the inconvenience!