Description
This Spring Pasta Primavera is filled with fresh vegetables, penne pasta, and a light cream sauce, making it a delightful choice for a quick and healthy meal any day.
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 the penne pasta. Cook for 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, and then drain. Return the pasta to the pot.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add asparagus, bell pepper, and broccoli. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the zucchini and cook for another 1 to 2 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 the minced shallot and garlic, cooking for 2 minutes. Stir in lemon zest and vegetable broth, simmering until reduced by half (about 4 to 5 minutes). Add heavy cream and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
- Stir in frozen peas and cooked vegetables into the pasta. Pour the lemon cream sauce over the mixture, combining everything well. Mix in Parmesan cheese and the remaining tablespoon of lemon juice, then gently stir in halved grape tomatoes and basil. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the pasta primavera to a large serving dish. Garnish with parsley, extra Parmesan, and crushed red pepper flakes. Serve warm.
Notes
Feel free to substitute seasonal vegetables based on your preference or availability.
This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 35mg