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A bowl of Simple Pasta Primavera with Colorful Veggies featuring asparagus, carrots, and peas in a light cream sauce.

Simple Pasta Primavera with Colorful Veggies

This recipe provides a quick and fresh Italian-style pasta dish packed with seasonal vegetables. It is easy to prepare and suitable for a weeknight meal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 1 lb Pasta penne, farfalle, or fusilli
Vegetables
  • 1 cup Asparagus cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup Snap Peas trimmed
  • 1 cup Broccoli small florets
  • 1/2 cup Peas fresh or frozen
  • 1/2 cup Carrots thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup Red Onion thinly sliced
Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil extra virgin
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup Vegetable Broth low sodium
  • 1/4 cup Heavy Cream optional, for extra richness
  • 2 tbsp Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Herbs chopped (parsley, basil, chives)
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese grated, plus more for serving
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black Pepper freshly ground

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant and softened.
  3. Add the asparagus, snap peas, broccoli, and carrots to the skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Add the peas to the skillet during the last minute of cooking. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. If using, stir in the heavy cream. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  5. Stir in the lemon juice, fresh herbs, and Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the vegetables and sauce. Toss to combine, adding a little reserved pasta water if needed to create a creamy consistency.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcal

Notes

For a vegan option, omit the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, and use a plant-based alternative. You can also add other vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the pasta primavera. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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