Whole Wheat Pasta Primavera
Whole Wheat Pasta Primavera
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound whole wheat penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Primavera Vegetables and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper, red or yellow, thinly sliced
- 1 zucchini, medium, cut into 1/2-inch half-moons
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 bunch asparagus spears, about 1 pound, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional, for a kick
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the whole wheat penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and thinly sliced red onion, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Add the sliced bell pepper, zucchini, broccoli florets, and asparagus pieces to the skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes, vegetable broth, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and tomatoes to slightly soften.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the vegetables. Toss everything together to combine. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Whole Wheat Pasta Primavera
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound whole wheat penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Primavera Vegetables and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper, red or yellow, thinly sliced
- 1 zucchini, medium, cut into 1/2-inch half-moons
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 bunch asparagus spears, about 1 pound, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional, for a kick
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the whole wheat penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and thinly sliced red onion, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Add the sliced bell pepper, zucchini, broccoli florets, and asparagus pieces to the skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes, vegetable broth, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and tomatoes to slightly soften.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the vegetables. Toss everything together to combine. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 1 min