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Creamy Spring Pasta Primavera with Lemon Garlic Sauce

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A quick and easy pasta primavera featuring crisp-tender spring vegetables coated in a luscious creamy lemon garlic sauce, perfect for a light yet indulgent meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz fettuccine or linguine
  • 1 cup asparagus tips, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium zucchini, sliced into thin half-moons
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced bell pepper (any color)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh basil leaves, torn (for garnish)
  • Extra Parmesan, for serving

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz of fettuccine and cook until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add asparagus, sugar snap peas, zucchini, and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4-5 minutes until veggies are crisp-tender. Toss in cherry tomatoes and cook an additional 2 minutes until softened but not bursting.
  4. Lower heat to medium-low. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and stir to combine. Warm gently for 2-3 minutes, then add grated Parmesan, lemon juice, and zest. Stir until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  5. Drain pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water. Toss pasta into the skillet with sauce and veggies. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick. Stir well to coat evenly.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in torn fresh basil leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  7. Serve immediately, plating the pasta primavera and sprinkling with extra Parmesan.

Notes

If the sauce thickens too much while resting, add a splash of pasta water and stir gently to loosen. Avoid overcooking vegetables to maintain a crisp-tender texture. Freshly grated Parmesan enhances creaminess and flavor. For dairy-free, substitute cream with coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Gluten-free pasta can be used as a substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta primavera, lemon garlic sauce, spring pasta, creamy pasta, vegetarian pasta, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/creamy-spring-pasta-primavera-with-lemon-garlic-sauce-easy-recipe/