Description
This vibrant Spring Vegetable Pasta combines fresh asparagus, peas, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes tossed with al dente pasta and a light lemony Parmesan sauce. A perfect quick and healthy dish bursting with seasonal flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 ounces pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Vegetables
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup asparagus, chopped
- 1 cup peas
- 1 cup zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Sauté Onions: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Cook Asparagus: Add chopped asparagus to the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add Peas and Zucchini: Incorporate peas and sliced zucchini and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Add Tomatoes: Stir in halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes until they just start to soften.
- Season Vegetables: Add salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in vegetable broth, bringing mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes allowing flavors to meld and broth to reduce slightly.
- Drain Pasta: Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Toss Pasta with Vegetables: Add drained pasta to the skillet with vegetables. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Finish with Basil, Parmesan, and Lemon: Stir in chopped fresh basil, grated Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice until well incorporated.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired. Serve warm, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan and basil.
Notes
- If you prefer a creamier sauce, add a splash of cream or a dollop of ricotta cheese before serving.
- Use gluten-free pasta if needed to make this dish gluten free.
- To make it vegan, substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese alternatives.
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce and bind it to the pasta for a silky texture.
- Red pepper flakes add a subtle heat, but you can omit them if you prefer a milder flavor.
