Description
Creamy Veg Pasta is a comforting, colorful, and nutritious dish combining tender pasta with a luscious creamy sauce and fresh vegetables. Ready in under 30 minutes, it is perfect for quick dinners that nourish the body and satisfy cravings. This versatile recipe is family-friendly, customizable, and full of vibrant flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 200g penne, fusilli, or your favorite pasta
Vegetables
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small zucchini, chopped
- 1 medium carrot, sliced
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Sauce & Aromatics
- 1 cup cream or plant-based cream (e.g. coconut cream)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of chili flakes
Optional Ingredients
- Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop all vegetables evenly to ensure uniform cooking. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics and Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped garlic and onion, cooking until fragrant and golden. Add the chopped vegetables and sauté, stirring occasionally, until tender but still crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Reduce heat to low and pour in the cream or plant-based cream. Stir gently to combine with the cooked vegetables. Let the sauce simmer and thicken slightly. Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss until the pasta is well coated with the creamy vegetable sauce. Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if using, and mix to combine.
- Final Touches and Serve: Give a final stir, adjust seasonings if needed, and serve immediately while warm. Garnish with extra herbs or cheese as preferred.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Do not overcook vegetables to retain a slight crunch and texture contrast.
- Add fresh herbs at the end to brighten flavors.
- If sauce feels too heavy, add a squeeze of lemon juice to cut richness.
- For make-ahead meals, rinse cooked pasta under warm water briefly to prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg