Best Easy Spaghetti del Contadino Recipe

Farmer's-style spaghetti with garden vegetables and olive oil is rustic Italian cooking. A vegetarian mediterranean dish that's fresh, healthy, and ideal for family dinners on a budget.

Cook 35 min Difficulty NORMAL 430 kcal
#vegetarian #mediterranean #family dinner #budget friendly
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • spaghetti 12 oz
  • zucchini 1.5 cups
  • eggplant 1 cup
  • yellow bell pepper 1 cup
  • cherry tomatoes 1.5 cups
  • red onion 0.5 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
  • extra virgin olive oil 3 tbsp
  • minced garlic 3 cloves
  • kosher salt 0.75 tsp
  • cracked black pepper 0.5 tsp
  • fresh basil leaves 0.25 cup
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 69 g 64%
Protein 11 g 10%
Fat 14 g 26%
Serving size 320g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 9–10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.

  2. 2

    While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, eggplant, and bell pepper; sauté for 6–7 minutes until vegetables are soft and lightly browned.

  3. 3

    Reduce heat to medium. Stir in red onion and minced garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until onions are translucent but not browned.

  4. 4

    Add cherry tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring often, until tomatoes just start to burst and form a sauce, about 3 minutes.

  5. 5

    Add drained spaghetti to the pan with vegetables. Drizzle remaining olive oil and toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water as needed for moisture. Heat through for 1 minute, then remove from heat and fold in fresh basil. Serve immediately.

Personalized Q&A
Q. Which ingredient defines the flavor of Spaghetti del Contadino?
The most defining ingredient is extra virgin olive oil, which gives the dish its classic Mediterranean depth. The combination of fresh garden vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, and tomatoes with aromatic basil also sets this spaghetti apart as a signature farmer’s-style pasta.
Q. What is the most important cooking step for great texture?
Properly sautéing the zucchini, eggplant, and bell pepper over medium-high heat ensures the vegetables become soft yet remain distinct and lightly caramelized. This maintains a hearty, rustic texture that prevents the dish from becoming mushy.
Q. How can I prevent my vegetables from turning soggy?
To avoid soggy vegetables, cook them in olive oil over medium-high heat in batches if needed, allowing moisture to evaporate and vegetables to brown instead of steam. Avoid covering the pan or overcrowding for best results.
Q. How many calories and macros are there per serving?
Each serving contains about 430 kcal, with 69g carbohydrates (64%), 11g protein (10%), and 14g fat (26%). This balance makes it satisfying yet light, with a moderate amount of protein and healthy fats.
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