Pasta Primavera is the ultimate celebration of sunshine and seasonality in a single, crave-worthy bowl. With a vivacious medley of crisp-tender vegetables, al dente penne, and a spritz of citrus, this dish transforms even the simplest weeknight into something special. Every forkful bursts with color, freshness, and flavor, making this recipe a quick favorite for family dinners and dinner parties alike. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or diving into your first homemade pasta, Pasta Primavera delivers effortless elegance and endless delight.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Pasta Primavera lies in its simplicity—every ingredient plays a key role in crafting a dish that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious. From the hearty penne to the fresh basil, these components build layers of flavor, color, and texture you’ll swoon over.

Penne pasta: Classic penne holds onto the sauce and veggies beautifully, creating perfect bites every time.
Extra-virgin olive oil: Adds richness and helps sauté the veggies to tender perfection; drizzle extra for a silky finish.
Garlic cloves: Thinly sliced garlic infuses the oil and vegetables with comforting savory notes.
Yellow squash: Brings sunshine yellow color and subtle sweetness—slice into thin half-moons for quick, even cooking.
Zucchini: Balances the squash with a gentle green hue and delicate bite.
Asparagus: Adds a subtle crunch and unmistakable spring flavor when chopped into one-inch pieces.
Cherry tomatoes: Halved tomatoes burst with juicy sweetness and a splash of color as they cook.
Red onion: Offers a pop of color and a mellow, sweet undertone to the sautéed mix.
Sea salt: Essential for seasoning the water and the veggies, bringing out all the natural flavors.
Frozen peas: A quick-thaw veggie that adds emerald color and a touch of garden-fresh sweetness.
Pecorino cheese: Its tangy, salty bite ties all the flavors together and melts beautifully into the hot pasta.
Fresh lemon juice: A generous squeeze gives the dish brightness and balance, making everything taste extra fresh.
Red pepper flakes: For a subtle kick of heat and extra excitement in every bite.
Fresh basil leaves: Essential for that signature Primavera herbal aroma—layer it in generously!
Fresh tarragon (optional): A teaspoon or two brings an extra note of licorice and complexity, but don’t worry if you don’t have it.
Freshly ground black pepper: Several grinds before serving rounds out the flavors and adds a final flourish.

How to Make Pasta Primavera

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Begin by bringing a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Drop the penne pasta in and cook according to the package instructions until just al dente—this ensures your pasta holds a gentle bite that will marry perfectly with the vegetables. Once cooked, drain the pasta and immediately toss it with a drizzle of olive oil to keep those gorgeous noodles from sticking to each other.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

While your pasta is cooking, heat your extra-virgin olive oil in a deep, roomy skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic first, letting its fragrance bloom and infuse the oil, then quickly toss in the yellow squash, zucchini, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, red onion, sea salt, and a few twists of black pepper. Sauté everything together for three to four minutes—just until the vegetables are vibrant and tender but still retain some snap.

Step 3: Combine and Toss

Now that your vegetables are glistening and inviting, add the cooked penne to the skillet along with the thawed peas, grated pecorino cheese, fresh lemon juice, and a hearty pinch of red pepper flakes. Use tongs or a big spoon to toss everything together—this is where the magic happens! The cheese will melt into the hot pasta while the lemon brightens everything up. Finally, toss in plenty of fresh basil and tarragon (if using) for a heady herbal finish.

Step 4: Season and Serve

Taste your Pasta Primavera one last time and adjust with extra salt, more pepper, or another squeeze of lemon as needed. Dish it up in generous bowls, garnish with more torn basil leaves, and serve immediately for peak freshness and flavor!

How to Serve Pasta Primavera

Garnishes

A flourish of freshly torn basil, a dusting of extra pecorino, and a drizzle of good olive oil take this dish from homey to absolutely stunning. If you’re feeling fancy, scatter some lemon zest or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes over the top for a vibrant, flavorful finish that makes your Pasta Primavera truly sing.

Side Dishes

Serve your Pasta Primavera with a bright, citrus-dressed arugula salad or a loaf of crusty garlic bread for scooping up every last saucy bite. A glass of crisp white wine or sparkling water rounds out this fresh, veggie-packed feast perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a little wow-factor, try serving your Pasta Primavera in a large, shallow platter family-style with lots of vibrant basil leaves over the top. You can even pack leftovers into jars for a cheerful, portable lunch or arrange small portions in ramekins as a playful starter for a dinner party.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store your Pasta Primavera in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors meld beautifully overnight, making for an even tastier meal the next day!

Freezing

While Pasta Primavera is at its colorful best when fresh, you can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to two months. Note that the vegetables may lose a little of their crispness, but the flavors remain lively and satisfying.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the Pasta Primavera in a skillet with a splash of water or extra olive oil, stirring until everything is heated through and revived. Avoid microwaving for too long, as it can make the vegetables mushy—quick and gentle is the way to go!

FAQs

Can I use different vegetables in Pasta Primavera?

Absolutely! Pasta Primavera is a fantastic catch-all for your favorite seasonal vegetables. Broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, or even mushrooms can step in—just be sure to cut everything into similar sizes for even cooking.

What pasta shapes work best with Pasta Primavera?

While penne is traditional (and delightfully sturdy), feel free to swap in fusilli, farfalle, or rotini for those adorable spirals that catch every bit of sauce and veggie goodness. Short shapes generally work better than long noodles for this style.

How can I make this dish vegan?

It’s simple to veganize Pasta Primavera—just skip the pecorino cheese or replace it with your favorite plant-based alternative. Add a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for extra cheesy flavor if you like!

Can I prepare Pasta Primavera in advance?

Yes, you can cook the pasta and prep the veggies a few hours ahead. Store them separately, and then toss everything together and reheat in the skillet just before serving for the freshest taste and texture.

Is Pasta Primavera healthy?

Definitely! Packed with a rainbow of vegetables, Pasta Primavera is rich in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. Using whole wheat pasta and a light hand with the cheese makes it an even heartier, more wholesome choice.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been craving a hearty, colorful meal that’s as joyful to make as it is to eat, Pasta Primavera is your answer. Whether you stick to the classic veggies or let your market finds guide you, this dish will brighten your table in every season. Give it a go—you’ll be hooked after the very first forkful!

Pasta Primavera Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 7 reviews

Author: Ava
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Pasta Primavera is a delightful and colorful pasta dish loaded with a variety of fresh spring vegetables, herbs, and a zesty lemony flavor. This vegetarian recipe is a celebration of seasonal produce and is perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight meal.

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil.
Sauté Vegetables: Heat oil in a skillet, add garlic, squash, zucchini, asparagus, tomatoes, onion, salt, and pepper. Sauté until tender.
Combine Ingredients: Add pasta, peas, cheese, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Mix well. Stir in basil and tarragon.
Season and Serve: Adjust seasoning, garnish with basil, and serve.