Pasta Primavera

Pasta Primavera

5 servings
A hearty, veggie packed pasta dish that's perfect for serving year round! It has so much fresh flavor, it's a great way to use up those vegetables in the fridge, plus it's a bright and colorful dish so it helps get the kids to eat their vegetables.

Ingredients

  • dry barilla penne pasta
    10 oz.
  • salt
  • olive oil
    ¼ c
  • red onion

    sliced

    ½ medium
  • carrot

    peeled and sliced into matchsticks

    1 large
  • broccoli florets

    cut into matchsticks

    2 c
  • red bell pepper

    sliced into matchsticks

    1 medium
  • yellow squash

    sliced into quarter portions

    1 medium
  • zucchini

    sliced into quarter portions

    1 medium
  • garlic cloves

    minced

    3 cloves
  • grape tomatoes

    heaping

    1 c
  • dried italian seasoning
    2 tsp
  • pasta water
    ½ c
  • fresh lemon juice
    2 tbsp
  • shredded parmesan

    *, divided

    ½ c
  • chopped fresh parsley
    2 tbsp

Directions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook penne pasta in salted water according to package directions, reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.

  2. 2

    Meanwhile heat olive oil in a 12-inch (and deep) skillet over medium-high heat.

  3. 3

    Add red onion and carrot and saute 2 minutes.

  4. 4

    Add broccoli and bell pepper then saute 2 minutes.

  5. 5

    Add squash and zucchini then saute 2 - 3 minutes or until veggies have nearly softened. 

  6. 6

    Add garlic, tomatoes, and Italian seasoning and saute 2 minutes longer.

  7. 7

    Pour veggies into now empty pasta pot or a serving bowl, add drained pasta, drizzle in lemon juice, season with a little more salt as needed and toss while adding in pasta water to loosen as desired.

  8. 8

    Toss in 1/4 cup parmesan and parsley then serve with remaining parmesan on top.

Pasta Primavera

Pasta Primavera

30 min5 servings415 cal

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About this Recipe

Craving a vibrant, satisfying meal that’s bursting with fresh flavor and wholesome goodness? This Pasta Primavera delivers a delightful experience, transforming everyday vegetables into a hearty, colorful dish perfect for any season. You'll love how easy it is to whip up a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen.

What makes this Pasta Primavera truly special is its incredible abundance of fresh, seasonal vegetables—from crisp broccoli to sweet grape tomatoes and tender zucchini. This recipe is a brilliant way to use up those odds and ends in your fridge, preventing food waste while creating something genuinely delicious. It’s also a fantastic way to introduce more vegetables to your family, thanks to its bright presentation and appealing textures.

Expect a dish that's both comforting and invigorating. You’ll enjoy the al dente bite of penne pasta, perfectly complemented by a medley of tender-crisp vegetables like red onion, carrots, and bell pepper, all coated in a light, zesty sauce. The fresh lemon juice and fragrant Italian seasoning create a bright, aromatic profile, while a generous sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh parsley adds a finishing flourish of savory depth. This veggie-packed pasta is surprisingly filling, yet feels wonderfully light and fresh.

One of the best things about Pasta Primavera is its versatility. Feel free to swap out the listed vegetables for whatever you have on hand or what's in season—asparagus, spinach, or snap peas would be excellent additions. For a different flavor profile, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, or a different hard cheese like Pecorino Romano instead of Parmesan. This dish is inherently vegetarian, making it simple to adapt for various dietary needs.

Serve this beautiful Pasta Primavera as a standalone main course, perhaps alongside a simple green salad and some crusty bread to soak up any lingering sauce. It’s a fantastic choice for a casual weeknight dinner or a bright addition to a weekend brunch spread.

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