Golden Garlic Parmesan Pasta Primavera

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A light yet satisfying pasta dish featuring fresh spring vegetables and a fragrant garlic-herb sauce that clings perfectly to al dente noodles. This italian-inspired pasta (gluten-free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs spaghetti, halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

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 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 medium spiralized zucchini and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, and sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender but still crisp.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  4. Step 4: Add drained pasta to the skillet, then sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1 tsp salt. Toss gently while adding reserved pasta water 1 tbsp at a time until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/4 tsp black pepper until well combined and the cheese is melted.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Golden Garlic Parmesan Pasta Primavera take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Golden Garlic Parmesan 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 Golden Garlic Parmesan 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 Golden Garlic Parmesan 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.

Is Golden Garlic Parmesan Pasta Primavera gluten-free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes