Dragon's Roar Pasta Primavera

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant pasta dish featuring seasonal vegetables and a garlic-herb cream sauce, inspired by the fiery energy of WoW's dragonflights. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 45 minutes pairs spaghetti, medium, thinly sliced zucchini, medium, thinly sliced yellow squash for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.8 (8 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 680 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium thinly sliced zucchini, 1 medium thinly sliced yellow squash, and 8 oz trimmed asparagus, sautéing for 4 minutes until crisp-tender. Add 6 oz sliced cremini mushrooms and 4 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 2 more minutes until mushrooms release moisture and garlic is fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, pour in 1 cup heavy cream, and simmer for 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until flavors meld and sauce coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to skillet along with 2 tbsp reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until sauce evenly coats pasta strands. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil and lemon zest.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Dragon's Roar Pasta Primavera take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Dragon's Roar Pasta Primavera?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Dragon's Roar Pasta Primavera?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Dragon's Roar Pasta Primavera for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Dragon's Roar Pasta Primavera?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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