Description
Pasta Primavera is a vibrant and fresh dish celebrating spring vegetables tossed with al dente pasta, finished with lemon, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. It’s a quick, colorful, and adaptable recipe perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz linguine, fettuccine, or penne
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup asparagus, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced (red and yellow)
- ½ cup peas (fresh or frozen)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Handful of fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook heartier veggies: Add asparagus, zucchini, and bell peppers. Sauté 5–6 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Add quick-cookers: Toss in cherry tomatoes and peas. Cook 1–2 minutes until warmed through.
- Combine with pasta: Reduce heat to low, add drained pasta, reserved pasta water, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Toss until coated in a light, creamy sauce.
- Finish with flair: Remove from heat. Stir in fresh basil, season with salt and pepper, and toss gently. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a protein boost, add shredded chicken, cooked shrimp, or chickpeas.
- For a creamier sauce, stir in ¼ cup heavy cream or mascarpone.
- Swap basil for parsley, chives, or mint for a different herb profile.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a spicy kick.
- Use gluten-free pasta and nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: N/A
Keywords: Pasta Primavera recipe, vegetable pasta, easy pasta, spring vegetables, healthy pasta, vegetarian pasta, simple pasta, homemade pasta