Description
A fresh and vibrant Pasta Primavera recipe filled with crisp seasonal vegetables, tender pasta, and a light, flavorful sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish offers a quick, nutritious, and customizable meal perfect for spring gatherings or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Base
- 12 ounces linguine, fettuccine, or penne pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Vegetables
- 1 cup asparagus, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced thin
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1/2 cup peas, fresh or frozen
Finishing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- A handful fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving about a cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Toss in the asparagus, zucchini, and bell peppers, cooking for 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Add Tomatoes and Peas: Stir in cherry tomatoes and peas, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes soften slightly and peas are warmed through.
- Combine Pasta and Veggies: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the vegetables. Toss gently to combine, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if the mixture looks dry. This helps bind the dish together with a silky finish.
- Finish with Cheese and Herbs: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in fresh lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Toss once more to blend all the flavors beautifully.
Notes
- Choose fresh, vibrant vegetables for the best texture and taste.
- Do not overcook vegetables; keep them slightly crisp.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
- Add fresh herbs at the end to maximize fragrance and freshness.
- Adjust seasoning gradually and taste as you go to balance flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg