Pasta Primavera
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
6 people
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Calories
433 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Pasta Primavera
Description
Pasta Primavera is a creamy pasta dish featuring ziti pasta and a variety of vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, red onion, red bell peppers, zucchini, peas, and cherry tomatoes. The sauce combines chicken broth, half and half, and Parmesan cheese thickened with butter, garlic, and flour, seasoned with herbs and a hint of hot sauce and lemon juice for brightness. The vegetables are briefly sauteed to retain slight crunch and fresh flavor. Cooking the pasta to al dente ensures a good texture contrast with the creamy sauce. The recipe calls for careful heat management when adding cheese and lemon to prevent separation.
The dish is hearty enough for a main meal but filled with colorful vegetables for balance. Various vegetables or pasta shapes can be swapped in depending on what is on hand or desired. Adjusting the pasta quantity can suit different serving sizes. The sauce's complexity supports the bright, slightly spicy, and fresh flavors from the assortment of produce.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days or frozen for longer storage. Reheat gently to preserve the creaminess of the sauce. Using freshly grated Parmesan is advised for best melting texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups half and half
- ½ chicken bouillon cube
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ¾ teaspoons dried parsley
- ¾ teaspoons basil
- ¾ teaspoons oregano
- ¾ teaspoons mustard powder
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Vegetables and Pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups broccoli cut into bite-sized pieces, florets
- ½ cup carrot julienned
- ½ cup red onion sliced
- 1 cup red bell pepper sliced
- ½ zucchini cut into chunks (equal to 1 ½ cups)
- ½ cup peas frozen
- 1 cup cherry tomato halved or quartered
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- ½ lb. ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine the sauce ingredients in a large measuring cup with a spout and set aside. Measure out remaining ingredients before beginning.
- Begin boiling a large pot of water for the pasta. Once a boil is reached, stir in ½ tablespoon salt.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli, onions, carrots, and bell peppers and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add the zucchini, peas, and tomatoes. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Add the butter and garlic in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the flour and stir continuously for 2 minutes.
- Add the sauce mixture (from step 1) in small splashes, stirring continuously. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cover partially while you cook the pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain once cooked.
- Reduce heat of the sauce to low and gradually sprinkle in the parmesan cheese until combined, then stir in the lemon juice.
- Add the drained pasta and stir to combine. Add the vegetables back and toss to combine and heat through.
- Remove from heat and serve with freshly cracked pepper and fresh lemon slices.
Notes
- This recipe yields about 6 servings and uses 7 cups of vegetables, supporting a hearty vegetable presence in every bite.
- You can substitute or add other vegetables like squash, asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, or mushrooms according to availability or taste.
- Vegetable broth may replace chicken broth for a vegetarian option.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor; pre-grated cheese may not melt smoothly.
- Add cheese and lemon juice over low heat to avoid grainy sauce.
- The hot sauce used enhances flavor with mild heat; increase it or adjust seasoning to taste.
- Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a microwave on a low setting or on the stovetop using a double boiler method to maintain sauce consistency.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 433 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 433kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 46g | 15% |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 48mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 729mg | 30% |
| Potassium | 540mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 3500IU | 70% |
| Vitamin C | 77mg | 86% |
| Calcium | 248mg | 25% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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