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Easy pasta dinners — 20-minute pasta primavera with colorful vegetables and Parmesan

Easy 20-Minute Pasta Primavera

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
  • 2 medium carrots peeled and cut into thin coins
  • 1 1/2 cups broccoli florets cut small
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced into thin strips
  • 1 yellow bell pepper sliced into thin strips
  • 1 medium zucchini halved lengthwise and sliced into half-moons
  • 1 cup sugar snap peas strings removed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for the pasta water
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves torn

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the penne until just shy of al dente, about 1 minute less than the package says (9 to 10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the carrots and cook 2 minutes, stirring once or twice.
  3. Add the broccoli and bell peppers and cook 2 minutes more, then add the zucchini and snap peas and cook 2 minutes more, until all vegetables are bright and crisp-tender.
  4. Push the vegetables to the edges of the pan. Add the sliced garlic to the center and cook about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant without browning.
  5. Pour in the heavy cream and add the cherry tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer gently 1 to 2 minutes, stirring, until the cream thickens slightly and the tomatoes begin to soften. Add a splash of pasta water if it gets too thick.
  6. Add the drained pasta, Parmesan, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss 1 to 2 minutes over medium heat, adding splashes of pasta water until the sauce is silky and coats every piece of pasta. Remove from the heat, fold in the torn basil, and serve immediately with extra Parmesan.

Notes

Leftover pasta primavera keeps in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or cream. Do not freeze — the cream sauce and vegetables lose their texture. Chop the vegetables up to a day ahead and keep them covered in the fridge for a 10-minute weeknight cook.