Simplest Best Pasta Primavera
Fresh spring vegetables tossed with pasta in a lemon-herb sauce—elegant, light, and the best way to use garden-fresh produce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 22 minutes pairs fettuccine pasta, fresh or frozen peas, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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 fettuccine pasta
- 1 medium, sliced into 1/4-inch coins zucchini
- 8 oz, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces asparagus
- 1 cup, fresh or frozen peas
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz fettuccine and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium sliced zucchini and 8 oz asparagus, cooking for 4 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup peas, 1 tbsp lemon zest, and 2 tbsp chopped dill to the skillet. Cook for 2 more minutes until peas are bright green and heated through.
- Step 4: Add drained pasta and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until sauce thickens and coats every strand of pasta. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan until melted and creamy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simplest Best Pasta Primavera take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 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 Simplest Best 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 pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simplest Best 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 Simplest Best 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.
What goes well with Simplest Best Pasta Primavera?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
