Description
One-Pot Pasta Primavera is a vibrant, easy-to-make pasta dish featuring fresh, colorful vegetables lightly sautéed in garlic and olive oil, tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta. Enhanced with lemon juice and zest for a bright finish, this recipe is perfect for a quick, healthy weeknight meal that serves four.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup julienned carrots
- 1 cup snap peas or frozen peas
- 1 zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti, linguine, or penne (use gluten-free pasta if needed)
Other Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Vegan Parmesan or regular Parmesan (for garnish)
- A drizzle of olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Chop and slice the vegetables into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking. This helps the vegetables cook evenly and improves the overall texture of the dish.
- Blanch Vegetables: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, blanch the broccoli, carrots, and snap peas (or frozen peas) for 2–3 minutes. Drain and set aside. This step softens the vegetables while keeping them vibrant.
- Sauté Vegetables: Cook the zucchini and red bell pepper separately in the skillet for 3–4 minutes until they’re slightly softened but still vibrant. This adds depth of flavor through gentle sautéing.
- Cook Pasta: In the same pot of boiling water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining. This starchy water will help adjust the sauce later.
- Prevent Pasta from Sticking: Drizzle the cooked pasta with a touch of olive oil to prevent sticking while finishing the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to avoid burning. If you want a bit of heat, sprinkle in the red chili flakes now.
- Add Vegetables to Skillet: Add the blanched and sautéed vegetables to the garlic oil in the skillet, tossing them to coat evenly and combine flavors.
- Add Lemon and Season: Stir in the lemon juice and zest to add brightness and acidity. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the garlicky vegetable mixture.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce feels dry, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
Notes
- You can substitute any seasonal vegetables you prefer in this recipe.
- For a vegan version, use vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast as a garnish.
- To speed up the process, you can prepare the vegetables while the pasta cooks.
- If you want extra protein, grilled chicken or shrimp would pair well with this dish.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.