Pasta Primavera
A vibrant and flavorful dish of fresh vegetables tossed with pasta, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 ounces 12 ounces of your preferred pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
Vegetables
- 1 cup 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half moons
- 1 yellow bell pepper 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup 1 cup asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 cloves 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1/4 cup 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
Cooking
- First, add the broccoli florets and asparagus to the skillet. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Add zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and both bell peppers to the skillet. Continue to cook for another 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are vibrant and just tender.
- Add the drained pasta to the vegetable mixture in the skillet. Toss everything to combine, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a light sauce.
- Squeeze the lemon juice over the mixture, add red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss well to evenly coat all ingredients.
- Serve the Pasta Primavera immediately, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil. Enjoy your delightful dish while it’s still warm!
Notes
Use seasonal vegetables for best flavor. Don't overcook the vegetables to retain their vibrant look. Reserve pasta water wisely to create a silky sauce. Customize your herbs according to preference.