Creamy 30-Minute Vegetable Pasta Primavera
Pasta Primavera is what's for dinner! In just 30 minutes, wide strips of pappardelle pasta get tossed in a light cream sauce that's bursting with fresh veggies. It's an irresistible combination that can be customized with what's on hand.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pappardelle pasta or fettuccine, dried
- 3 Tablespoons butter unsalted
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup yellow onion diced
- 2 bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 dry pint cherry tomato
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced or thinly sliced*
- 1 teaspoon basil dried
- ½ teaspoon thyme dried
- ½ teaspoon oregano dried
- ⅛-¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- salt to taste, fine sea salt
- black pepper to taste, freshly ground
- 2 cups carrot ribboned with vegetable peeler - about 2 carrots
- 1 cup zucchini thinly sliced and cut into half moons
- ¼ cup white wine or vegetable stock
- 1 ¼ cup vegetable stock
- 1 cup peas optional, frozen
- ½ cup half and half
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- ¼ - ½ cup water reserved pasta water
- ¼ cup basil for serving, fresh leaves
- queeze lemon juice optional, fresh
Instructions
- Heat a large stockpot of salted water over medium-high heat. It's helpful to start this first so by the time we need it, it's at a boil.
- In a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat, melt the butter and heat the oil. Add the onion and saute for 3-4 minutes. Add a pinch of salt.
- Add the sliced bell peppers, whole cherry tomatoes, garlic, dried herbs, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and cook for about 4-5 minutes. As the tomatoes blister and soften, gently smash them with the back of a spoon to burst, allowing the juices to simmer.
- Add the carrot ribbons and zucchini to the skillet, cooking for 1-2 minutes. Deglaze the pan with white wine or stock, scraping up any bits as needed.
- Add the remaining vegetable stock to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Allow it to simmer and reduce for about 6-7 minutes, taste testing it as it cooks and adding salt and pepper as needed.
- By this point, the water for the pasta should be boiling, add it to the pan and cook for about 1 minute less than the al dente package directions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- When the sauce has reduced after about 6-7 minutes, stir in the frozen peas, half and half, and parmesan cheese until combined. Drain the pasta - don't forget to reserve some water - and toss it with the sauce. Depending on the size of your skillet, you may want to transfer the sauce to the big pot to toss instead.
- Add approximately 1/4 cup pasta water to start. You likely won't need much, but a little helps the sauce adhere. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools slightly. Cook the pasta in the sauce for about 1 minute until al dente.
- Remove from heat and serve with fresh basil. If desired, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.
Notes
- 4-6 servings, depending on appetites
- Garlic: for a more prominent garlic flavor, mince it; thinly slice the cloves for a milder flavor throughout.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 762
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 762kcal | 38% |
| Carbohydrates | 110g | 37% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 27g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 134mg | 45% |
| Sodium | 573mg | 24% |
| Potassium | 1170mg | 25% |
| Fiber | 11g | 44% |
| Sugar | 17g | 34% |
| Vitamin A | 14264IU | 285% |
| Vitamin C | 131mg | 146% |
| Calcium | 209mg | 21% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.