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Pasta Primavera: A Vibrant Spring Celebration

Servings: 4 Total Time: 30 mins Difficulty: Beginner
Fresh veggies and herbs shine in this Pasta Primavera recipe, a delightful celebration of spring flavors tossed with al dente pasta for a vibrant and colorful meal.
Colorful pasta primavera with mixed vegetables, garnished with fresh basil leaves pinit

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vibrant Pasta Primavera is a celebration of spring’s freshest produce, offering a quick, nutritious, and adaptable 30-minute meal that transforms simple ingredients into a delightful culinary experience perfect for health-conscious food lovers.

Recipe Overview

  • Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

Raw ingredients for pasta primavera, showcasing colorful seasonal vegetables

Fresh Produce:

  • 1 zucchini, julienned
  • 1 yellow squash, julienned
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup asparagus, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

Pasta:

  • 12 oz linguine or penne
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Herbs & Seasonings:

  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Dairy/Protein (Optional):

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)

Equipment

Cooking tools and equipment needed to prepare pasta primavera, neatly arranged

Cooking Instructions

Prep Vegetables

  • Wash and chop all vegetables
  • Mince garlic
  • Julienne zucchini and squash

Cook Pasta

  • Boil salted water in large pot (Water temperature: 100°C/212°F)
  • Cook pasta al dente (8-10 minutes)
  • Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water
  • Drain and set aside

Sauté Vegetables

  • Heat olive oil in large skillet (Medium-high heat: 190°C/375°F)
  • Sauté garlic (30 seconds)
  • Add harder vegetables first (asparagus, bell peppers)
  • Cook 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp (Internal vegetable temperature: 75°C/167°F)
  • Add zucchini, squash (2 minutes)
  • Add cherry tomatoes (1 minute)

Combine

  • Add cooked pasta to vegetable skillet
  • Toss with herbs
  • Add pasta water if needed for moisture
  • Season with salt and pepper
  • Final dish temperature: 65°C/150°F

Finish

  • Optional: Add Parmesan cheese
  • Sprinkle fresh basil
  • Add red pepper flakes if desired
Cooking process of pasta primavera, vegetables being sautéed in a professional kitchen

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 320
  • Protein: 12g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fat: 14g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Sugar: 4g

Dietary Variations

Vegan Option:

  • Replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast
  • Omit heavy cream
  • Use whole wheat pasta

Gluten-Free:

  • Use gluten-free pasta
  • Verify all ingredients are GF certified

Low-Carb:

Pro Tips

Serving:

  • Serve immediately for best texture
  • Garnish with extra herbs
  • Pair with crisp white wine

Storing:

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Reheat with splash of water
  • Best consumed fresh

Pasta Primavera: A Vibrant Spring Celebration

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 15 mins Total Time 30 mins
Cooking Temp: 212  F Servings: 4 Calories: 320
Best Season: Spring

Description

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of spring with Pasta Primavera, a colorful celebration featuring a medley of seasonal vegetables sautéed to perfection and tossed with al dente pasta. This dish is a burst of freshness on your plate!

Ingredients

Fresh Produce

Pasta

Herbs & Seasonings

Dairy/Protein (Optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep Vegetables
    • Wash and chop all vegetables
    • Mince garlic
    • Julienne zucchini and squash
  1. Cook Pasta
    • Boil salted water in large pot
    • Cook pasta al dente (8-10 minutes)
    • Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water
    • Drain and set aside
  1. Sauté Vegetables
    • Heat olive oil in large skillet
    • Sauté garlic (30 seconds)
    • Add harder vegetables first (asparagus, bell peppers)
    • Cook 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp
    • Add zucchini, squash (2 minutes)
    • Add cherry tomatoes (1 minute)
  1. Combine
    • Add cooked pasta to vegetable skillet
    • Toss with herbs
    • Add pasta water if needed for moisture
    • Season with salt and pepper
  1. Finish
    • Optional: Add Parmesan cheese
    • Sprinkle fresh basil
    • Add red pepper flakes if desired

Note

Dietary Variations

Vegan Option:

  • Replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast
  • Omit heavy cream
  • Use whole wheat pasta

Gluten-Free:

  • Use gluten-free pasta
  • Verify all ingredients are GF certified

Low-Carb:

  • Replace pasta with zucchini noodles
  • Increase vegetable quantity

Pro Tips

Serving:

  • Serve immediately for best texture
  • Garnish with extra herbs
  • Pair with crisp white wine

Storing:

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Reheat with splash of water
  • Best consumed fresh

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Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:
Can I add protein?

Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu

How to prevent soggy vegetables?

Cook on high heat, don't overcrowd pan

Can I use frozen vegetables?

Fresh is best, but frozen works in a pinch

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