Pasta Primavera with Fresh Vegetables

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (225g) pasta of your choice 8 ounces (225g) pasta of your choice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 zucchini, thinly sliced 1 zucchini, thinly sliced
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 55g, 8g
• Protein: 10g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the sliced bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus to the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
4. 4.
   Stir in the cherry tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
5. 5.
   Season the vegetables with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine with the vegetables.
7. 7.
   Drizzle the lemon juice over the pasta and vegetables, and toss again to coat everything evenly.
8. 8.
   Remove from heat and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.
9. 9.
   Serve hot and enjoy the burst of flavors!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Asparagus — Trim the tough ends of the asparagus before cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
• Cherry tomatoes — For an extra burst of flavor, use ripe and sweet cherry tomatoes.
• Zucchini — Make sure to thinly slice the zucchini to ensure even cooking.

Tips & Tricks

• Feel free to add other seasonal vegetables such as broccoli or peas to customize the dish.
• For a creamier version, you can add a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk to the sauce.
• Experiment with different types of pasta shapes to add variety to the dish.
• To make it more filling, you can add grilled chicken or shrimp to the pasta primavera.
• Don't overcook the vegetables to retain their vibrant colors and crispness.

Serving advice

Serve the Pasta Primavera as a main course accompanied by a fresh green salad and crusty bread. It also pairs well with a glass of chilled white wine.

Presentation advice

Garnish the dish with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a few fresh basil leaves to add a pop of color. Serve it in a shallow pasta bowl to showcase the vibrant vegetables.