Spring Pasta Primavera Veggies (Print)

Celebrate spring flavors with bright veggies and fresh herbs in this vibrant Italian-inspired pasta dish.

# What you'll need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or farfalle pasta

→ Fresh Vegetables

02 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
03 - 1 medium yellow squash, sliced into half-moons
04 - 1 cup asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 1 cup fresh or frozen peas

→ Aromatics & Herbs

08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
10 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
12 - Zest of 1 lemon
13 - 2 tbsp lemon juice

→ Sauce & Seasoning

14 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - Salt, to taste
17 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
18 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne or farfalle until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain using a colander.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic, sauté for 1 minute until aromatic.
03 - Add zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables become just tender.
04 - Mix in cherry tomatoes and peas. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, allowing tomatoes to soften and peas to heat through.
05 - Add drained pasta to the skillet with the vegetables. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
06 - Stir in reserved pasta water, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped basil, and parsley. Drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over the mixture. Season with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.
07 - Remove skillet from heat and fold in grated Parmesan. Plate immediately, topping each portion with additional Parmesan and fresh herbs if preferred.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It feels like a secret shortcut to getting sunshine on your plate even when the weather is gloomy outside.
  • The veggie-packed simplicity makes it perfect for weeknight dinners, yet the flavors are festive enough for guests.
02 -
  • If you let the garlic brown, the whole dish turns bitter—catching it early saves the flavor.
  • Adding pasta water is the secret to a silky sauce, not just moisture; I almost forgot this once and the dish felt dry.
03 -
  • Cut all the veggies ahead and lay them out in colorful bowls to speed up cooking and bring order to your kitchen.
  • Stirring the Parmesan off the heat keeps it creamy and prevents clumping—learned that after a few sticky batches!
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