Spring Pasta Primavera Veggies (Print Version)

Light pasta with crisp veggies and herbs in a bright, zesty sauce. Italian-inspired and vegetarian friendly.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or farfalle pasta

→ Fresh Vegetables

02 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
03 - 1 medium yellow squash, sliced into half-moons
04 - 1 cup asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 1 cup fresh or frozen peas

→ Aromatics & Herbs

08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
10 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
12 - Zest of 1 lemon
13 - 2 tbsp lemon juice

→ Sauce & Seasoning

14 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
16 - Salt, to taste
17 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
18 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water and drain.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic; stir and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus, and bell pepper. Sauté for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are just tender.
04 - Add cherry tomatoes and peas to the skillet. Cook for 2–3 minutes until tomatoes soften.
05 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet with vegetables; toss gently to combine.
06 - Stir in reserved pasta water, lemon zest, lemon juice, basil, and parsley. Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes as desired.
07 - Remove from heat. Fold in Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You can savor fresh veggies at their crispest—no soggy bites here.
  • It turns ordinary pasta nights into something you’ll actually look forward to.
02 -
  • If you crowd the skillet, veggies steam instead of sauté, so use the biggest pan you have.
  • The zest is far more flavorful than juice; don’t skip the grating step—it’s worth the effort.
03 -
  • Chop veggies similarly so they cook evenly—it's worth an extra minute.
  • Add herbs just at the end to keep their aroma vivid and fresh.
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