Golden Hour Pasta Primavera

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-05 · Updated 2026-04-05

A vibrant spring-inspired pasta dish featuring tender vegetables and a creamy lemon-herb sauce, ready in under 25 minutes. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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.

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 medium, thinly sliced zucchini
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil (add 1/2 tsp salt to water). 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 heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 1 medium thinly sliced zucchini and cook for 3 minutes until slightly tender.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened, then add drained spaghetti, 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 cup chopped basil. Toss until cheese melts and sauce coats pasta evenly.