Description
Bright, colorful, and bursting with fresh seasonal flavors, this Summer Vegetable Pasta Primavera is the perfect easy dinner for busy weeknights or warm-weather gatherings. Made with tender pasta, crisp summer vegetables, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a light, flavorful sauce, this healthy vegetarian pasta recipe is both satisfying and nutritious.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces (340g) penne pasta or fettuccine
- 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
For the Vegetables
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced
- 1 yellow squash, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup asparagus pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves
- Additional Parmesan cheese
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Wash and chop all vegetables into evenly sized pieces for uniform cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add broccoli and asparagus first and cook for 3–4 minutes. Then add zucchini, squash, and bell peppers and sauté for another 4–5 minutes. Finish with cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
- Lower the heat to medium and stir in butter, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with reserved pasta water. Toss well to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and mix until a light, silky sauce forms.
- Garnish with fresh basil, extra Parmesan, and lemon wedges. Serve warm.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water—it helps create a silky, well-coated sauce.
- Cook vegetables just until tender-crisp to keep their color, texture, and freshness.
- Add lemon juice and Parmesan at the end for the brightest flavor.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 servings
- Calories: 380 calories
