Healthy Pasta Primavera
A vibrant and flavorful dish combining al dente pasta with sautéed seasonal vegetables in a buttery, lemony sauce, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Pasta and Vegetables
- 1 lb pasta Any type of pasta can be used.
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 yellow squash, chopped
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 orange bell pepper, sliced
- 1 crown broccoli, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
Cooking Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil Divided, use for sautéing.
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 6 tbsp butter, salted Can be substituted with a plant-based alternative.
- 3/4 cup pasta water Reserve before draining the pasta.
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded Can be substituted with a dairy-free option.
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Prepare all your vegetables by chopping, slicing, or mincing according to the ingredient list. Set them aside.
Cooking
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions in well-salted boiling water. Save about 3/4 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- In a large pan over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the minced garlic, and chopped onion. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and fragrant.
- Add the chopped zucchini, yellow squash, broccoli, halved grape tomatoes, and sliced orange bell pepper to the pan. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper. Sauté for another 10 minutes until the veggies are tender yet still retain a bit of crunch.
- Once the veggies are cooked, reduce the heat to low. Add the cooked pasta along with the reserved pasta water, butter, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, and more salt and pepper if needed. Toss everything together gently until evenly coated and heated through.
- Serve immediately, topped with extra parmesan cheese for added cheesy goodness.
Notes
For a beautiful presentation, twirl the pasta in the center of a large bowl and arrange the sautéed veggies on top. Adding a lemon wedge on the side allows guests to customize their citrus hit!