Description
Pasta Primavera is a vibrant and fresh Italian-inspired dish featuring tender penne pasta tossed with a medley of sautéed vegetables in a creamy lemony sauce. This recipe highlights fresh broccoli, red onion, red pepper, zucchini, and peas, all seasoned with Italian herbs and finished with Parmesan cheese and basil for a bright and flavorful meal perfect for any season.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 pound penne pasta (or pasta of choice)
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 1 small lemon (zest and juice)
- ½ cup chopped basil (plus more for serving)
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups small broccoli florets
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 1 red pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, halved and sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt (plus more for salting the pasta)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water, then return the pasta to the pot and keep warm.
- Sauté the vegetables: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add broccoli florets, sliced red onion, red pepper, zucchini, and minced garlic. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften but still retain some bite.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta, thawed peas, whole milk, and the reserved pasta water to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Stir well to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta evenly.
- Finish with fresh flavors: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil. Toss gently to incorporate all ingredients and create a vibrant sauce.
- Serve: Serve the Pasta Primavera in bowls, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and additional basil if desired, for an inviting and fresh presentation.
Notes
- This Pasta Primavera emphasizes fresh vegetables and the brightness of lemon to create a light, creamy sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help it cling to the noodles.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor.
- Feel free to swap the penne with any short pasta shape you prefer.
- Maintain slightly crisp vegetables for a delightful texture contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cups
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 422 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 7 mg
