Pasta Primavera

Pasta Primavera isn’t just for spring and summer, this is a veggie packed pasta dish that’s perfect year round! It has such a satisfying flavor and it’s versatile recipe so you can add different kinds of vegetables you might already have on hand.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Barilla®. All opinions and text are mine.

What is Pasta Primavera?

Pasta primavera is a simple dish made with pasta and fresh vegetables. Many people think it’s an Italian dish but it’s actually an American dish which was created by chef Sirio Maccioni and two assisting chefs (the original used cream cheese).

It was first served at a restaurant in New York City then a recipe was published a few years later in New York Times helping bring the dish to fame.

Things you’ll love about this Pasta Primavera:

• It’s a great way to add a lot of veggies into your meal.
• It’s a smart way to use up all those veggies in the fridge about to go bad.
• This is very filling and has such a satisfying flavor.
• It’s a good way to get kids to eat vegetables.
• There is great visual appeal going on, doesn’t food taste better when it looks enticing and colorful?
• And it makes a nice main dish for dinner or works well as a side dish for parties too (in which you’ll get more servings).

Pasta Primavera Video

And of course, it’s super tasty! I love that garlic, parmigiano and lemon flavor you get over every single bite.

Have you heard of the Mediterranean diet? And did you know pasta is part of this healthy way of eating inspired by the traditional dietary patterns of the Mediterranean region?

It incorporates a variety of quality food groups that should be eaten often in reasonable quantities, including pasta.

What Ingredients do I Need for Pasta Primavera?

• Penne pasta
• Salt
• Olive oil
• Fresh veggies including red onion, carrot, broccoli, bell pepper, yellow squash, zucchini, tomatoes and garlic
• 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup shredded parmigiano, divided

How to Make Pasta Primavera

This recipe is actually really easy to make. It’s a bit of chopping so the prep takes some time but it cooks quickly. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

First you’ll bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt, then cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetables

While the pasta is boiling cook the veggies so they will finish at the same time as the pasta.

To do so, heat olive oil in a 12-inch (and deep) skillet over medium-high heat. Add red onion and carrot and sauté 2 minutes.

Add broccoli and bell pepper then sauté 2 minutes. Add squash and zucchini then sauté 2 – 3 minutes or until veggies have nearly softened.

Add garlic tomatoes, and Italian seasoning and sauté 2 minutes longer.

Step 3: Toss Pasta and Veggies Together with Seasonings

Pour veggies into now empty pasta pot or a serving bowl, add drained pasta, drizzle in lemon juice, season with a little more salt as needed and toss while adding in pasta water to loosen as desired.

Toss in 1/4 cup parmigiano and parsley then serve with remaining parmesan on top.

Can I Use Other Vegetables?

This is a versatile recipe and you can use different kinds of veggies based on what you have on hand.

Shelled peas, asparagus, eggplant, cauliflower, spinach, or green beans are other good choices. I’m thinking I’d also love an autumn version with different fall veggies.

What’s the Best Type of Pasta to Use?

I usually use Penne pasta because I almost always have some on hand but any medium pasta will work. Here’s a list of great options:

• Farfelle (bowties)
• Fusili
• Ziti
• Mastacoli
• Gemelli
• Penne

Can I Add Chicken or Shrimp to This Recipe?

Yes. If you are looking to add a protein to this recipe, grilled chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken, or sautéed shrimp are great options.

Tips for the Best Pasta Primavera

• Careful not to over-cook pasta, always a key to any pasta dish.
• Season pasta cooking water with salt, its one of the only ways to boost flavor to pasta while it cooks.
• Cook vegetables to a tender faintly crisp texture, not soft and mushy.
• Don’t leave out the bell pepper and onion, they both add great flavor here.
• Add plenty of parmesan! You don’t need to stop at 1/2 cup, I’d say that’s just the minimal amount.

More Delicious Recipes to Try

• Pasta e Fagioli Soup
• Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
• Pasta Carbonara
• Lemon Ricotta Parmesan Pasta with Spinach and Grilled Chicken