PASTA PRIMAVERA (Easy Vegetarian Dinner Idea)

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated mozzarella

Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while canola oil is more budget-friendly.

fresh basil

🥗Healthier: spinach

💰Cheaper: dried herbs

Spinach offers similar nutrients, while dried herbs are more affordable.

cherry tomatoes

🥗Healthier: sundried tomatoes

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Sundried tomatoes provide intense flavor, while canned are cost-effective.

Chop up a variety of vegetables including carrots, red peppers, celery, zucchini, squash, and broccoli. You can also use kale or spinach.

Boil water in a large pot, adding a little olive oil and salt.

Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions (11 to 12 minutes).

Reserve a quarter cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.

In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.

Add the chopped hard vegetables (carrots, red peppers, celery, zucchini, squash, and broccoli) to the pot and sprinkle with a little salt. Cover with a lid and cook for a few minutes.

After a few minutes, add the kale and cook with the lid on until wilted.

Turn off the heat and push the vegetable mixture to the back of the stove.

In a separate pan, melt butter over a little less than medium heat.

Add minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for 30 seconds to a minute, being careful not to burn it.

Add cream to the garlic mixture and warm it up without boiling, for about 3-4 minutes.

Season the sauce with salt and pepper, then turn off the heat and add the grated parmesan cheese, stirring until it thickens.

Add a little reserved pasta water to the sauce to achieve a creamy consistency, adjusting as needed.

Combine the cooked pasta with the vegetable mixture in the Dutch oven and pour the sauce over the top.

Toss everything together, adding more pasta water if necessary to maintain creaminess.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens