Description
A vibrant and flavorful Spring Vegetable Pasta featuring tender asparagus, peas, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes sautéed with garlic and onion. Tossed with al dente pasta, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of lemon, this dish is a perfect quick and healthy meal bursting with fresh seasonal flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup asparagus, chopped
- 1 cup peas
- 1 cup zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Seasonings and Garnishes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
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 Onion: 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: Add minced garlic to the skillet 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: Stir in peas and sliced zucchini, cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Incorporate Tomatoes: Add halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Season Vegetables: Season the vegetable mixture with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using), stirring to combine.
- Simmer with Broth: Pour in vegetable broth, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes to meld flavors.
- Drain Pasta: Once pasta is cooked, drain it, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Combine Pasta and Vegetables: Add drained pasta to the skillet with vegetables and toss together. Add reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Add Fresh Ingredients: Stir in fresh basil, grated Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice until well combined.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the pasta and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired. Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and basil if preferred.
Notes
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- For a vegan version, omit Parmesan cheese or replace with nutritional yeast.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- Red pepper flakes add a mild heat but can be omitted for a milder dish.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.