Summer Pasta Primavera
Summer Pasta Primavera is a vibrant and fresh dish featuring a medley of colorful vegetables and tender pasta, all tossed in a light garlic and olive oil sauce. Ready in just 35 minutes, it's the perfect meal for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner.
Servings: 4
Calories: 531kcal
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta such as penne, fusilli, or farfalle
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup zucchini diced
- 1 cup yellow squash diced
- 1 cup asparagus cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup bell pepper diced
- 1 cup peas fresh or frozen
- 1 cup corn kernels fresh or frozen
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving, optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sliced red onion, and sauté until fragrant and the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the cherry tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus, bell pepper, peas, and corn to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are tender but still crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the vegetables. Toss to combine. If the mixture is too dry, add some of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and fresh parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Divide the pasta primavera among serving plates. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh, in-season vegetables for the best flavor and texture.
- If using frozen peas or corn, thaw them before adding to the skillet to ensure even cooking.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the pasta with gluten-free pasta.
- Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for extra protein.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 531kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 304mg | Potassium: 798mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 2509IU | Vitamin C: 91mg | Calcium: 217mg | Iron: 4mg