Description
Master Easy Healthy Pasta Primavera! Al dente pasta, crisp broccoli, bell pepper, zucchini, & sweet tomatoes mingle with fragrant garlic, finished with reserved starchy water.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz short pasta (e.g., penne, rotini)
- 1 head broccoli, cut into small florets
- 1 red bell pepper, cored and thinly sliced
- 1 medium zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Step 3: Add the broccoli florets and sliced red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Step 4: Stir in the sliced zucchini and halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the tomatoes have just started to soften.
- Step 5: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour in 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and the fresh lemon juice. Toss everything together to combine, adding more pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed to create a light sauce.
- Step 6: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Store any delicious leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, perfect for a quick and healthy lunch later.
- When reheating, gently warm on the stovetop with a splash of water or a little extra lemon juice to refresh the sauce and keep your pasta from drying out.
- For an extra burst of fresh flavor, garnish your pasta primavera with a handful of chopped fresh basil or parsley, and a generous grating of Parmesan cheese right before serving.
- To achieve that perfect "tender-crisp" vegetable texture, always add your heartier veggies like broccoli and bell pepper first, then the zucchini and tomatoes, ensuring everything cooks evenly without becoming mushy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx 300g)
- Calories: 480
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Protein: 7g