Delicious Pasta Primavera Recipe
A bright, colorful, and flavor-packed Delicious Pasta Primavera Recipe featuring al dente pasta tossed with crisp-tender seasonal vegetables, olive oil, lemon, and Parmesan. A perfect light Italian dinner that’s fresh, healthy, and easy to customize.
Ingredients
Pasta and Base:
- 400 g 14 oz pasta (farfalle, penne, or linguine)
- 4 L 4 quarts water for boiling + 1–2 tbsp kosher salt
Vegetables:
- 200 g 7 oz asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2–3 cm pieces
- 150 g 5 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small zucchini sliced into half-moons
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 100 g 3.5 oz peas (fresh or frozen)
- 1 small carrot thinly sliced or julienned
- 150 g 5 oz broccoli florets (optional)
Aromatics & Flavor Base:
- 60 ml 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 30 g 2 tbsp unsalted butter (or olive oil)
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 small shallot finely chopped
- 60 ml 1/4 cup dry white wine or vegetable broth (optional)
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 60 g 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes optional
Garnish:
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- Fresh basil leaves torn
- Extra grated Parmesan and olive oil for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just shy of al dente. Reserve 1–1½ cups of pasta water and drain.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add shallot and cook 1–2 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Step 3: Add carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, and asparagus stems. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until just tender-crisp.
- Step 4: Add zucchini, peas, and cherry tomatoes. Cook 2–3 minutes until slightly softened. Deglaze with white wine or broth and let it reduce for 1 minute.
- Step 5: Add cooked pasta to the skillet along with 3–6 tbsp of reserved pasta water. Toss continuously to coat.
- Step 6: Add lemon zest, lemon juice, grated Parmesan, basil, and parsley. Toss again until the sauce becomes glossy and clings to the pasta.
- Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or more lemon juice. Serve immediately topped with extra cheese, olive oil, and herbs.
Notes
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or olive oil.
- Vegan option: Replace butter with olive oil and Parmesan with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta and follow the same instructions.
- For a creamy version: Add ½ cup heavy cream or cashew cream in Step 5.
- Pro Tip: Always reserve pasta water — it creates a silky emulsion that binds the sauce beautifully.