Spring Pasta Primavera Veggies (Printable)

Fresh pasta with tender veggies and a bright herby sauce. Ideal for spring and easy on the palate.

# 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 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 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
12 - Zest of 1 lemon
13 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice

→ Sauce & Seasoning

14 - 3 tablespoons 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 of red pepper flakes (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water and drain.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic, 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 occasionally, until vegetables are just tender.
04 - Add cherry tomatoes and peas. Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, until tomatoes soften.
05 - Add cooked pasta to skillet with vegetables, toss gently to combine.
06 - Stir in reserved pasta water, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped basil, and parsley. Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, if desired.
07 - Remove skillet from heat and fold in Parmesan cheese. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You’ll feel like spring is bursting right onto your dinner table with every forkful.
  • Pasta primavera is quick enough for a busy night, but tastes fancy enough for guests.
02 -
  • I once overcooked the veggies and they lost all texture—keep a close eye and taste as you go.
  • Saving the pasta water is absolutely key; it ties everything together and makes the sauce glossy.
03 -
  • Don’t skip the lemon zest—it wakes up all the flavors and cuts through richness.
  • The best Primavera comes from using more veggies than you think; they shrink as they cook.
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