Spring Pasta Primavera Veggies (Print version)

Vibrant spring vegetables and herbs combine with pasta for a fresh, light Italian main. Ready in under 45 minutes.

# 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)

# Steps:

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, then drain.
02 - Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic; sauté for 1 minute until aromatic.
03 - Add zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus, and bell pepper. Sauté for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are just tender.
04 - Incorporate cherry tomatoes and peas; cook for 2–3 minutes, allowing tomatoes to soften.
05 - Add drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to mix with vegetables.
06 - Stir in reserved pasta water, lemon zest, lemon juice, basil, and parsley. Drizzle with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
07 - Remove skillet from heat and fold in Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan and fresh herbs.

# Cooking tips:

01 -
  • The herby lemon sauce tastes like it belongs on a sunny patio.
  • Every forkful packs in vibrant, crunchy veggies that keep things interesting.
02 -
  • Once, I forgot to save the pasta water and the sauce wasn’t nearly as silky—now I always scoop the water out before draining.
  • Mixing the herbs in at the end keeps their flavors alive; adding them early makes them fade away.
03 -
  • If you can, buy vegetables and herbs the day you make this—their flavor leaps out.
  • Swirl in a spoonful of cold olive oil at the end for a glossy, fragrant finish.
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