Lemon-Herb Spring Pea Pasta with Asparagus
A refreshing spring pasta dish featuring tender asparagus and fresh peas tossed in a bright lemon-herb sauce, perfect for a light weeknight dinner. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs (225g) spaghetti, salt, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 8 oz (225g) spaghetti
- 1 tbsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces asparagus
- 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup (freshly squeezed from 1-2 lemons) lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, fresh, chopped basil
- 1/4 cup, fresh, chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, adding 1 tbsp salt; add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add 1 cup asparagus pieces and 1 cup peas; cook for 4-5 minutes until asparagus is tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and stir for 1 minute until fragrant, then pour in 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and stir to combine.
- Step 4: Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with 2 tbsp reserved pasta water, then toss vigorously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh basil, 1/4 cup fresh parsley, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; season with salt and pepper to taste, adding more pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Herb Spring Pea Pasta with Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Lemon-Herb Spring Pea Pasta with Asparagus?
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 (225g) spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Herb Spring Pea Pasta with Asparagus?
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 Lemon-Herb Spring Pea Pasta with Asparagus for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Lemon-Herb Spring Pea Pasta with Asparagus vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
