Easy Pasta Primavera Recipe

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.

Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.

Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water.

While the water is boiling, prepare the vegetables: slice 1/3 of a small red onion, 1 small red bell pepper, and 1 small yellow bell pepper.

Halve and slice a green zucchini and a yellow squash into thin pieces.

Cut 12 stalks of asparagus into reasonably-sized pieces.

Once the water is boiling, add 10 ounces of penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat until shimmering.

Add the sliced red onion to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add the asparagus and bell peppers to the skillet and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Add the zucchini, yellow squash, and 4 cloves of minced garlic to the skillet, and cook for 2-4 minutes while stirring frequently.

Season the vegetables with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and your choice of herbs (2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning or other herbs).

Remove the skillet from heat once the vegetables are crisp-tender.

Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.

Halve 1 cup of grape tomatoes and set aside.

Return the drained pasta to the pot and add the cooked vegetables.

Add 2 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water to the pot.

Add the halved grape tomatoes and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice to the pot.

Stir everything together until the butter melts and the flavors combine.

Serve the pasta primavera in a bowl, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens