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Spring Vegetable Pasta Primavera

Colorful spring vegetable pasta primavera in creamy Parmesan sauce with fusilli.

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A vibrant, one-bowl family dinner that celebrates spring produce. Tender pasta and crisp seasonal vegetables are tossed in a light, creamy Parmesan sauce with a bright finish of lemon and basil. It’s quick, adaptable, and a delicious way to enjoy the season’s bounty.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound short pasta (like fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bunch asparagus, tough ends snapped off, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
  • 1 cup sugar snap peas or snow peas, trimmed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup frozen peas (no need to thaw)
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (or vegetable broth)
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add asparagus, zucchini, and bell pepper to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp.
  4. Pour in white wine to deglaze the pan, simmer for 1-2 minutes until reduced by half. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream to warm through.
  5. Turn off the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan until melted and smooth.
  6. Add the drained pasta, snap peas, cherry tomatoes, and frozen peas to the skillet. Toss to coat in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen.
  7. Gently fold in the chopped basil, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and basil.

Notes

Reserve starchy pasta water to help create a silky sauce. Add lemon juice off the heat to prevent curdling. Vegetables can be swapped based on what is fresh. For a lighter version, use half-and-half or coconut milk.

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