There’s something so satisfying about a big bowl of Pasta Primavera, colorful veggies, tender pasta, and that perfect balance between freshness and comfort. This dish has been my go-to every spring when asparagus and zucchini start showing up at the market. It’s light but satisfying, vibrant but cozy, and ridiculously easy to make on a busy weeknight.
What I love most is how flexible it is. You can use whatever veggies you have on hand, a handful of peas, cherry tomatoes, even broccoli stems. And it’s one of those recipes that feels special, even if you throw it together in under 30 minutes. I like to sauté the vegetables just until tender, letting them keep a bit of bite, then toss everything with hot pasta and a good shower of Parmesan.
For extra flavor, I finish it off with fresh basil and a hint of lemon zest, it brightens everything up beautifully. Whether you’re feeding your family or looking for a cheerful way to use up your spring ingredients, this Pasta Primavera is fresh, simple, and just so satisfying.
It’s simple and fresh. It’s comfort in a bowl, and it just might become your new favorite too.
How to make Pasta Primavera
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, following the package instructions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta. Toss it with a little olive oil and set it aside.
In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and asparagus and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the zucchini and cherry tomatoes and continue to cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, just until tender. Add the peas and cook for one minute more.
Reduce the heat and return the cooked pasta to the pan. Toss everything together, adding a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, then season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Finish with freshly grated lemon zest and a handful of fresh basil.
Serve immediately and enjoy! Hope you will try this refreshing and nutritious Pasta Primavera. Tag me on Instagram if you do, as I would love to see how it turned out for you.
Other pasta recipes you may like to try
Creamy, tangy, and full of crunch, this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines crisp romaine, al dente pasta, Parmesan, and garlicky dressing for a crowd-pleasing twist on a classic.
This Strawberry Pasta Salad with Feta is a flavorful dish perfect for spring and summer gatherings when you want something fresh and tasty to share.
Packed with cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, and feta, this Mediterranean Pasta Salad is bursting with flavor and tossed in a zesty olive oil dressing.
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Pasta Primavera
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, fusilli, or orecchiette)
- 3 tbsp (45g) olive oil
- 1 small red onion , thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic , sliced
- 10 oz (300g) asparagus , trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium zucchini, (about 10 oz -300g) , sliced into half-moons
- 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes , halved
- 1/2 cup (75g) frozen peas
- 1/2 cup (50g) Parmesan cheese , grated
- 1/4 cup fresh basil (or parsley)
- Salt and pepper , to taste
- Red pepper flakes
- lemon zest of a lemon
Instructions
Cook the pasta.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions.
- Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Toss the pasta with a bit of olive oil and set aside.
Sauté the vegetables.
- In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add the garlic.
- Add the asparagus.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the zucchini slices.
- Add the cherry tomatoes. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, until just tender.
- Add the peas and cook for 1 minute more.
Bring it all together.
- Lower the heat and add the cooked pasta to the skillet.
- Toss to combine, adding a little reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
- Taste and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Add lemon zest and fresh basil.
- Enjoy immediately with extra olive oil and Parmesan cheese on top.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @homecookingadventure on Instagram and hashtag it #homecookingadventure.
Perfect
Thank you