Pitié's Perfect Pasta Primavera
A light, colorful pasta dish with seasonal vegetables and a lemon-herb sauce, inspired by the Parisian hospital where medicinal herbs were once cultivated. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 27 minutes pairs fettuccine, medium, thinly sliced zucchini, halved cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 8 oz fettuccine
- 1 medium, thinly sliced zucchini
- 1 cup, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces asparagus
- 1/2 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz fettuccine and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium thinly sliced zucchini and 1 cup trimmed asparagus pieces, cooking for 5 minutes until tender-crisp. Add 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 2 minced garlic cloves, and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add drained pasta, 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce coats the pasta and thickens slightly, adding more pasta water if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pitié's Perfect Pasta Primavera take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Pitié's Perfect 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 fettuccine from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pitié's Perfect 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 Pitié's Perfect 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 Pitié's Perfect Pasta Primavera 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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order italian delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
