spring pasta primavera fresh veggies (Printable)

A colorful pasta celebration featuring crisp veggies and a fresh, zesty Italian-style sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or farfalle pasta

→ Fresh Vegetables

02 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
03 - 1 medium yellow squash, sliced into half-moons
04 - 1 cup asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 1 cup fresh or frozen peas

→ Aromatics & Herbs

08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
10 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
12 - Zest of 1 lemon
13 - 2 tbsp lemon juice

→ Sauce & Seasoning

14 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
17 - Pinch red pepper flakes, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil pasta according to the manufacturer’s instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water and drain pasta.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic, and sauté for 1 minute until aromatic.
03 - Add zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 4–5 minutes, stirring periodically, until vegetables begin to soften.
04 - Add cherry tomatoes and peas to the pan. Continue cooking for 2–3 minutes, until tomatoes soften.
05 - Add drained pasta to the skillet with vegetables. Toss gently until well integrated.
06 - Stir in reserved pasta water, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped basil, and parsley. Drizzle in remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
07 - Remove from heat and fold in Parmesan cheese. Plate immediately and top with additional Parmesan and fresh herbs.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • I discovered it’s an instant way to bring spring to your table, no matter the weather outside.
  • This meal is quick to cook but never boring, packed with surprises in every bite.
02 -
  • Undercooking the vegetables leaves them watery and bland, so sauté until they’re just soft but still have color.
  • Adding lemon juice off the heat keeps it bright and prevents bitterness—learned after one sour attempt!
03 -
  • Always save some pasta water—it transforms the sauce from plain to glossy and cohesive.
  • The right timing for veggies is a game-changer: cook until they’re tender but bright, never mushy.
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