Smith's Simple Pasta Primavera
A vibrant, weeknight-friendly pasta dish featuring seasonal vegetables and a light lemon-herb sauce. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 27 minutes, pairs spaghetti, 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
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
