Easy Pasta Primavera

Bright, colorful, and bursting with garden-fresh flavor, this Easy Pasta Primavera is the perfect weeknight dinner that comes together in just 35 minutes! Featuring tender penne pasta tossed with a vibrant medley of sautéed vegetables like red bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, and juicy cherry tomatoes, this dish is as nutritious as it is satisfying. A light garlic and olive oil sauce ties everything together, with options to elevate the flavors further by adding a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Whether you're looking for a quick vegetarian meal or a delicious way to use up seasonal produce, this pasta primavera is a wholesome, customizable recipe the whole family will love. Perfect for spring and summer nights, it's a simple yet elegant dish that’s as beautiful to serve as it is easy to make!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced into half-moons
• 1 yellow squash, sliced into half-moons
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 0.5 cup frozen peas
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 4

Add the red bell pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, broccoli florets, and a pinch of salt to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften.

Step 5

Stir in the cherry tomatoes and frozen peas. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes soften and release some of their juices.

Step 6

Season the vegetables with the remaining salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Toss to combine.

Step 7

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together to coat the pasta with the garlic-vegetable mixture.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. If desired, sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top and toss to melt the cheese slightly.

Step 9

Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil, if using. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1225.8 grams (1225.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2299

Total Fat 82.90g	106%
Saturated Fat 28.10g	141%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 95mg	32%
Sodium 4219mg	183%
Total Carbohydrate 294.70g	107%
Dietary Fiber 26.10g	93%
Total Sugars 19.70g
Protein 101.50g	203%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1466mg	113%
Iron 17mg	94%
Potassium 2353mg	50%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 32.0%

Protein: 17.4%

Carbs: 50.6%