Name: Easy Pasta Primavera Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 3 cups short pasta; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 3 garlic cloves (minced); 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes (halved); 1 zucchini (sliced in half moons); 1 bunch asparagus (trimmed); 1 cup peas; ½ red onion (sliced); ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated); 1 lemon (zested and juiced); 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes; Fresh basil leaves

Jump to Recipe

Dinnertime coming up and short on inspiration? Pasta Primavera is a vibrant, light dish that’s perfect for lighter evenings. It’s packed with fresh, seasonal vegetables that are tossed together with pasta and a simple sauce, making it burst with flavor and color. It’s incredibly versatile, and you can easily customize the vegetables to fit what you have on hand, making it a great way to use up any leftover bits and bobs in your fridge.

A colorful Pasta Primavera salad with fusilli, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, peas, and fresh basil, served on a blue plate with a fork.

Why You’ll Love This Pasta Primavera Recipe

Fast and Fresh: Weeknight dinner blues? Pasta Primavera comes to the rescue. It’s a breeze to whip up, with minimal prep and cooking time, leaving you more time to relax or tackle other tasks.
Clean Out the Fridge: Got a drawer overflowing with colorful odds and ends? This dish is perfect for them. Primavera welcomes a variety of fresh vegetables, so use up those leftover peppers, asparagus ends, or cherry tomatoes for a delicious and waste-free meal.
Light on the Wallet: Budget-friendly cooking doesn’t have to be boring. Primavera relies on seasonal vegetables, which are typically more affordable, and the simple sauce means you won’t need fancy ingredients.
All Skill Levels Welcome: No matter your cooking experience, Primavera is achievable. It’s a great introduction to cooking with fresh ingredients and perfect for building confidence in the kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.

An array of fresh cooking ingredients for Pasta Primavera including peas, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, onions, garlic, lemon, asparagus, pasta, and spices labeled individually on a kitchen counter.

How to Make Pasta Primavera with Step-By-Step Instructions

A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

Cook the Pasta

Follow the package directions to cook your chosen pasta. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.

A pot of boiling water with pasta cooking for Pasta Primavera, surrounded by ingredients like peas, onions, asparagus, oil, and basil on a kitchen counter. — Cook the pasta according to the package’s directions.

Sauté the Veggies

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add the red onion, peas, tomatoes, zucchini, and asparagus and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened slightly.

A skillet with an array of colorful chopped vegetables including red onions, tomatoes, zucchini, and green peas, ready for cooking Pasta Primavera. — Add the garlic, red onion, peas, tomatoes, and zucchini in a large skillet.

A skillet filled with colorful vegetables, including chopped asparagus, peas, tomatoes, zucchini, and red onions, on a light surface with oil and basil nearby for making Pasta Primavera. — Add the asparagus to the skillet.

A skillet filled with sautéed vegetables including asparagus, tomatoes, onions, zucchini, and Pasta Primavera, seasoned with herbs, viewed from above. — Cook for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened.

Assemble and Serve

In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, vegetables, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest and juice, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to coat everything evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.

A vibrant Pasta Primavera salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and basil, topped with parmesan, served on a blue plate with a lemon half and spices in the background. — Combine the pasta, vegetables, cheese, lemon zest and juice, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste.

A plate of Pasta Primavera with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, asparagus, and red onions, garnished with basil on a blue plate. — Toss to coat everything evenly.

Fresh Finish

Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately. Enjoy your vegetarian Primavera masterpiece!

A plate of Pasta Primavera with tomatoes, asparagus, peas, and onions, served with a side dressing and lemon on a light background. — Garnish with fresh basil and serve.

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

Veggie Versatility: Primavera thrives on customization! Don’t have asparagus? Swap it for broccoli florets. Short on zucchini? Try sliced mushrooms or bell peppers. Use what’s fresh and in season for the most vibrant flavor.
Don’t Drown Your Dish: Resist the urge to overcook your vegetables. They should be crisp-tender, not mushy. A light sear enhances their sweetness and avoids a watery sauce.
Pasta Perfection: Save some pasta water before draining! This starchy liquid is gold when it comes to creating a silky smooth sauce. Add a splash or two to your Primavera if it seems a little dry, tossing everything together until perfectly combined.
Cheese Substitutes: Parmesan adds a classic touch, but feel free to explore! Nutritional yeast provides a cheesy, nutty flavor, while vegan parmesan offers a plant-based alternative.
Short Pasta is King: While any pasta will work in a pinch, short shapes like penne, rotini, or fusilli tend to hold the sauce best, creating those awesome flavor-packed bites.
Garlic Galore: Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic to your preference. Minced garlic adds a pungent bite, while sliced garlic will mellow slightly as it cooks.
Fresh is Best, But Frozen Works in a Pinch: Frozen peas are a perfectly acceptable substitute for fresh and can be added directly to the pan during the last minute of cooking.

A hand holding a blue plate with Pasta Primavera featuring asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and basil, accompanied by olive oil and lemon.

How to Store Pasta Primavera

Cooked up a batch of delicious Pasta Primavera, but have some leftovers? Don’t worry about wasting that veggie goodness! Here’s how to store your leftovers for future lunches or quick dinners:

Cool It Down: Let your leftover Primavera come to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent trapped moisture from creating a soggy mess later.
Airtight is the Way to Go: Transfer your leftovers to an airtight container. This prevents fridge odors from infiltrating your dish and keeps the pasta from drying out.
Fridge or Freezer? Planning to enjoy your leftovers within 3-4 days? They store well in the fridge. For longer storage, the freezer is a great option! Leftover Primavera can last up to 3 months frozen. To prevent the pasta from sticking together in a frozen block, toss it with a tablespoon of olive oil before transferring it to your freezer-safe container.

What to Serve With Pasta Primavera

Garlic Bread: You can’t go wrong with this classic side. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, it’s perfect for soaking up any extra sauce.

Caprese Salad: With fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, this simple salad brings a burst of freshness that complements the creamy pasta.

Finish off your meal with a light and refreshing fruit salad or a scoop of sorbet, offering a sweet and satisfying conclusion to your primavera experience.

A vibrant Pasta Primavera salad with tomatoes, asparagus, peas, red onions, and basil leaves in a blue bowl, served with tongs.

More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home

Want to try some other easy pasta recipes? Try these!

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