Lemony Asparagus & Pea Pasta with Fresh Herb Cream

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant spring pasta featuring tender asparagus, sweet peas, and a bright lemon-herb sauce that comes together in under 25 minutes. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs linguine, asparagus, fresh peas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

★ 4.1 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Trim woody ends from asparagus and cut stalks into 1-inch pieces. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, add linguine, and cook for 8 minutes until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus and peas, then cook for 4-5 minutes until asparagus is crisp-tender and peas are bright green, stirring occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Squeeze 2 tbsp lemon juice from the lemon (reserve zest for garnish) into the skillet. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Stir in heavy cream and cook for 2 minutes until slightly thickened, then whisk in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan until melted and smooth.
  5. Step 5: Add drained linguine to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly. If sauce is too thick, add 2-3 tbsp reserved pasta water until creamy. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped mint and 1/4 cup chopped basil until wilted, about 1 minute.
  6. Step 6: Season with salt, black pepper, and lemon zest, then serve immediately with extra mint leaves.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemony Asparagus & Pea Pasta with Fresh Herb Cream 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 Lemony Asparagus & Pea Pasta with Fresh Herb Cream?

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 linguine from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lemony Asparagus & Pea Pasta with Fresh Herb Cream?

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 Lemony Asparagus & Pea Pasta with Fresh Herb Cream 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 Lemony Asparagus & Pea Pasta with Fresh Herb Cream?

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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