Spring Pasta Primavera Fresh Veggies (Printable)

Bright pasta tossed with spring vegetables, fresh herbs, and lemon for a light Italian main course.

# 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 medium 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 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
12 - zest of 1 lemon
13 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice

→ Sauce & Seasoning

14 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
16 - salt, to taste
17 - freshly ground black pepper, to taste
18 - pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus, and red bell pepper. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just tender.
04 - Add cherry tomatoes and peas to skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 more minutes until tomatoes soften.
05 - Add cooked pasta to skillet with vegetables. Toss gently to combine.
06 - Stir in reserved pasta water, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped basil, and parsley. Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
07 - Remove from heat and fold in Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This pasta is the secret shortcut to bringing spring sunshine right onto your plate.
  • The crisp, colorful veggies somehow make the meal feel fancy, even if you're just eating in your pajamas.
02 -
  • Overcooking the veggies turns your beautiful primavera into mush no one wants to eat.
  • Adding the pasta water with herbs made the sauce silky instead of sticky—don't skip it.
03 -
  • Always reserve pasta water to smooth out the sauce—it's your secret weapon.
  • Chop vegetables evenly so everything cooks at the right pace and stays vibrant.
Go Back