Pasta Primavera Italian Spring Vegetables (Printer-friendly)
Al dente pasta with fresh spring vegetables in a light sauce. Ready in 40 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz penne or spaghetti
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small zucchini, sliced
03 - 1 small yellow squash, sliced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, julienned
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed
07 - 1 cup broccoli florets
→ Aromatics & Sauce
08 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
09 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
11 - 1/2 cup vegetable broth
12 - Juice of 1 lemon
13 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add zucchini, squash, bell pepper, and broccoli. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until just tender.
04 - Add cherry tomatoes and sugar snap peas. Sauté for another 2–3 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
05 - Pour in vegetable broth and lemon juice. Simmer for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with Parmesan cheese. Add a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Toss well to combine and heat through.
07 - Stir in fresh basil and parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan and herbs if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Its a gorgeous way to eat more vegetables without feeling like youre eating health food
- The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
02 -
- Dont skip reserving the pasta water, that starchy liquid is what binds the sauce to the pasta
- Overcooking the vegetables turns them mushy, so keep them bright and slightly crisp
03 -
- Cut all your vegetables into similar sized pieces so they cook evenly
- Have all ingredients prepped before you start cooking, everything comes together quickly