Description
This Creamy Spring Vegetable Pasta is a fresh, colorful dish packed with tender veggies, tossed in a light, creamy sauce. It’s the perfect Easter meal—comforting yet bright, easy to make, and full of seasonal flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (penne, farfalle, or fusilli work well)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup asparagus, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup zucchini, diced
- 1/2 cup baby spinach
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh herbs (like basil or parsley), for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add asparagus, peas, and zucchini. Cook for 4–5 minutes, until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Stir in spinach and cook just until wilted.
- Lower the heat and pour in the cream, Parmesan, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir until combined and creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until it’s silky.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve warm.
Notes
- To make it vegetarian, ensure your Parmesan is rennet-free.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half or a splash of milk with a bit of pasta water.
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp if you’d like more protein.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: spring pasta, creamy vegetable pasta, Easter dinner, light pasta, seasonal vegetables