Name: Italian Pasta Primavera
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: Serves 4-6
Ingredients: 1 pound (450g) fettuccine or penne pasta; 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided; 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced; 1 medium yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced; 1 medium zucchini, cut into thin half-moons; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 small bunch asparagus, woody ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving; 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Cook the pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Prepare the vegetables

While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell peppers and asparagus, cooking for 3 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the zucchini and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the cherry tomatoes and garlic, cooking for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Make the sauce

Reduce heat to medium-low and add the peas to the skillet. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Let simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
Combine pasta and vegetables

Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the vegetables and sauce. Toss gently to coat evenly. If needed, add more reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Finish and serve

Remove from heat and add the fresh basil, lemon juice, remaining tablespoon of olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Toss again to combine. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

Italian Pasta Primavera

Ingredients

Instructions

Nutritional Information