Pasta Primavera: A Fresh and Vibrant Italian Classic
Pasta Primavera is light, fresh, and packed with flavor, making it one of the best spring and summer pasta dishes. The combination of fresh vegetables, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese creates a simple yet delicious meal that’s easy to customize.
This recipe is versatile and customizable—you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand, and it can be made vegetarian or with added protein like grilled chicken or shrimp. It’s a delightful, colorful meal that brings out the best of fresh ingredients.
Why You’ll Love Pasta Primavera
🌿 Packed with Fresh Vegetables – A delicious way to incorporate seasonal veggies into your diet.
🍝 Light and Healthy – Unlike creamy pasta dishes, this one is made with a light olive oil and garlic sauce.
🎨 Colorful and Vibrant – The mix of vegetables creates a beautiful presentation.
⏳ Quick and Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
🌱 Customizable – Use any veggies you like and add your favorite proteins.
Ingredients for Pasta Primavera
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, spaghetti, or fettuccine)
- 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water)
For the Vegetables:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small zucchini, sliced
- 1 small yellow squash, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
How to Make Pasta Primavera
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, asparagus, and red onion.
- Sauté for 3-4 minutes, until slightly softened.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and minced garlic, cooking for another 2 minutes.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- Drizzle in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Stir in salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.
- Pour in vegetable or chicken broth and let simmer for 2 minutes.
Step 4: Combine Everything
- Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the vegetables.
- Pour in reserved pasta water (a little at a time) to help the sauce coat the pasta.
- Toss everything together until well combined.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and lemon juice.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
- Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh basil.
- Serve immediately with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad.
Tips for the Best Pasta Primavera
🍝 Use Al Dente Pasta – Slightly firm pasta holds up better when mixed with vegetables and sauce.
🔥 Cook Vegetables Until Just Tender – Don’t overcook; you want them to stay slightly crisp.
🧄 Use Fresh Garlic – Freshly minced garlic enhances the flavor more than garlic powder.
🍋 Don’t Skip the Lemon – Lemon juice brightens the flavors and balances the dish.
🧀 Add Extra Cheese – A little Parmesan or feta gives the dish a creamy, salty kick.
🍗 Make It a Meal – Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for protein.
How to Store and Reheat Pasta Primavera
🧊 Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
🔥 Reheat: Warm in a pan over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or olive oil to refresh the sauce.
🚫 Avoid Freezing: The fresh vegetables lose their texture after freezing.
How to Serve Pasta Primavera
🍷 With Wine – Pair with a light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
🥖 With Bread – Serve with warm garlic bread or a crusty baguette.
🥗 With a Side Salad – A simple green salad with balsamic dressing complements the dish perfectly.
🎉 As a Main Course or Side Dish – Enjoy it on its own or pair it with grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon.
Variations to Try
🥑 Creamy Pasta Primavera – Stir in a splash of heavy cream or Greek yogurt for a richer texture.
🥦 Loaded Veggie Primavera – Add broccoli, mushrooms, or snap peas for even more vegetables.
🌱 Vegan Primavera – Skip the cheese and use nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan.
🌶 Spicy Primavera – Increase the red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Pasta Primavera
Ingredients
- For the Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta penne, spaghetti, or fettuccine
- 1 tablespoon salt for boiling water
- For the Vegetables:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small zucchini sliced
- 1 small yellow squash sliced
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup asparagus cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Instructions
- Cook Pasta – Boil salted water, cook pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables – Heat olive oil in a pan, add zucchini, squash, bell peppers, asparagus, and onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Add cherry tomatoes and garlic, sauté for 2 minutes.
- Make the Sauce – Stir in olive oil, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and broth. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Combine Everything – Add the cooked pasta, mix well, and add reserved pasta water if needed.
- Garnish & Serve – Stir in Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and lemon juice. Serve warm with extra cheese and basil.
