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Pasta Primavera

Bright and Fresh Pasta Primavera for Quick Weeknight Dinners

Pasta Primavera is a vibrant and customizable dish featuring fresh vegetables, ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces Penne Pasta Can substitute with gluten-free pasta or chickpea pasta for a protein boost.
For the Sauté
  • 1 medium Red Onion Yellow onions or shallots can also be used as substitutes.
  • 1 large Carrot Can substitute with parsnip if desired.
  • 2 cups Broccoli Florets Green beans or asparagus serve as good substitutes.
  • 1 medium Red Bell Pepper Any variety of bell peppers (green, yellow, orange) can be swapped in.
  • 1 medium Yellow Squash Eggplant or other seasonal squashes can alternatively be used.
  • 1 medium Zucchini Eggplant or other seasonal squashes can alternatively be used.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Increase amount for more garlicky goodness.
  • 2 cups Grape Tomatoes Cherry tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes are feasible substitutes.
For Flavoring
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Italian Seasoning Fresh herbs such as basil or oregano can be used instead.
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice Lime juice can be substituted if necessary.
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese Nutritional yeast is an excellent dairy-free option.
  • ¼ cup Fresh Parsley Basil or cilantro may be used interchangeably.
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Essential for sautéing.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Deep Skillet
  • Tongs

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. When done, reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander, allowing it to steam dry while you prepare the vegetables.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, place a deep skillet over medium-high heat and add a generous drizzle of olive oil. Heat the oil until it shimmers, which usually takes about 1-2 minutes.
  3. To the hot oil, add the chopped red onion and carrot, stirring frequently for about 2 minutes.
  4. Next, toss in the broccoli florets and diced red bell pepper. Sauté for another 2 minutes, stirring often.
  5. Now, it’s time to add the sliced yellow squash and zucchini into the pan. Continue sautéing for 2-3 minutes.
  6. Stir in the minced garlic along with the halved grape tomatoes and dried Italian seasoning. Sauté everything together for another 2 minutes.
  7. Gently fold the drained penne pasta into the sautéed vegetables in the skillet.
  8. Drizzle fresh lemon juice over the pasta and sprinkle with salt to taste. Gradually add the reserved pasta water.
  9. To complete your Pasta Primavera, mix in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley until well distributed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 12gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 1.5mg

Notes

Chop your vegetables in advance to make cooking quick and seamless. Use the reserved pasta water gradually to achieve the perfect sauce consistency.

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