Description
Creamy Pasta Primavera is a delightful and easy-to-make Italian-inspired dish featuring tender pasta tossed with a medley of sautéed fresh vegetables in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, this recipe combines fresh ingredients and simple techniques to deliver a comforting and flavorful pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
Sauce and Vegetables
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup mixed fresh vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Your Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions, usually around 8-11 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the sliced bell peppers and zucchini (and cherry tomatoes) and sauté until the vegetables are tender but still slightly crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream with the sautéed vegetables, stirring gently to combine. Let the mixture heat through and slightly thicken, about 2-3 minutes over medium heat.
- Combine Everything Together: Add the cooked pasta and freshly grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss everything well to coat the pasta in the creamy vegetable sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve Up Your Masterpiece: Plate the creamy pasta primavera and optionally sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese. Serve warm and enjoy this comforting and fresh pasta dish.
Notes
- Use fresh vegetables for the best flavor; seasonal vegetables can be substituted.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative.
- Parmesan cheese can be replaced with Pecorino Romano if desired.
- Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley for extra freshness.
- Cook pasta one minute less than package instructions if you plan to toss it further with the sauce to avoid overcooking.
