Rainbow Veggie Fusilli with Lemon-Tarragon Sauce

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

A vibrant pasta dish featuring colorful vegetables in a bright, herbaceous sauce that kids love. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs fusilli pasta, zucchini, red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 12 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz fusilli pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, dice 1 medium zucchini, 1/2 red bell pepper, and 1 medium carrot into 1/4-inch coins, then sauté in 3 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes until tender-crisp and slightly caramelized.
  3. Step 3: Stir 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh tarragon and 1 tbsp lemon juice into the cooked pasta along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, tossing until the sauce coats every strand and the vegetables are evenly distributed.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Rainbow Veggie Fusilli with Lemon-Tarragon Sauce 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 Rainbow Veggie Fusilli with Lemon-Tarragon Sauce?

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 fusilli pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Rainbow Veggie Fusilli with Lemon-Tarragon Sauce?

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 Rainbow Veggie Fusilli with Lemon-Tarragon Sauce 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 Rainbow Veggie Fusilli with Lemon-Tarragon Sauce?

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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