Smith's Simple Pasta Primavera
A vibrant, weeknight-friendly pasta dish featuring seasonal vegetables and a light lemon-herb sauce, named after America's most common surname. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 27 minutes pairs spaghetti, medium zucchini, yellow bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 spaghetti
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 12 oz spaghetti and 1 tsp salt, cooking for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, slice 2 medium zucchini and 1 yellow bell pepper into 1/4-inch half-moons. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add sliced zucchini, bell pepper, and 1 cup cherry tomatoes to the skillet, season with 1/2 tsp black pepper, and cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Toss drained spaghetti into the skillet with 2 tbsp reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, and the zest of 1 lemon. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring until the sauce clings to the pasta and thickens slightly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smith's Simple 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 Smith's Simple 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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smith's Simple 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 Smith's Simple 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 Smith's Simple 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
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 12-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
