Description
Spring Pasta Primavera features fresh vegetables and a light, creamy sauce, making it a perfect choice for a quick, healthy dinner that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 oz asparagus, cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
- 2 cups small broccoli florets
- 1 small zucchini, chopped
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 shallot, minced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- zest of 1 lemon
- dash crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice, divided
- 1 cup frozen peas
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups halved grape tomatoes
- ¼ cup chopped basil
- 2 tablespoons italian parsley, for garnish
- extra parmesan cheese, for garnish
- crushed red pepper flakes, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt and pasta, and cook for 11 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain well and return pasta to the pot.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add asparagus, peppers, and broccoli. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, then add zucchini and cook for 1-2 more minutes until vegetables are tender but crisp. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a plate or bowl.
- Melt butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic, cooking for 2 minutes. Stir in lemon zest and vegetable broth, simmering until reduced by half (about 4-5 minutes). Mix in heavy cream and 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
- Stir peas into the pot with the pasta, followed by the cooked vegetables. Pour the lemon cream sauce over everything and mix well. Add Parmesan cheese and the remaining lemon juice. Gently fold in tomatoes and basil, seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
- Transfer the pasta primavera to a serving bowl. Garnish with parsley, extra Parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes. Serve warm.
Notes
Ensure vegetables are cooked just until tender to maintain their crispness.
Feel free to customize with seasonal vegetables available.
This dish is best served immediately for optimal freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg