Easy Pasta Primavera
This easy pasta primavera is loaded with colorful veggies and topped with delicious creamy sauce. Super adaptable with lots of different veggies, this 30-minute meal is meatless, fresh, and tasty.
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti see note
- 1 pound broccoli about 1 bunch, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound asparagus about 1 bunch, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large red bell pepper cut into ½ to 1-inch pieces
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream see note
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup small curd cottage cheese
- 1 cup (4 ounces) Parmesan cheese + more for serving
- fresh basil chopped, optional
- 2 to 4 green onions chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
-
Cook pasta in large pot according to package directions (I use 5 quarts water plus 1 ½ tablespoons salt). While pasta is cooking, prepare veggies. Add the prepared vegetables to the pasta during the last 5 to 7 minutes of cooking time or you can steam or stir fry them separately until tender (see note).
-
Meanwhile, melt butter in medium saucepan. Add garlic and saute until aromatic, about 1 minute. Stir in milk and cream and heat until warm, about 3 minutes.
-
Then add cottage and Parmesan cheese and stir until cheese is melted and sauce thickens slightly. Adjust the heat as need to keep from boiling and maintain a low simmer.
-
When pasta and veggies are tender, drain them with a colander and return to cooking pot. Add the sauce, chopped green onions, and chopped basil, if desired. Toss to combine. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Recipe Notes
1. Any stringy pasta (e.g. linguine, fettuccine or angel hair) will work in this recipe.
2. Add the veggies to the last 5 minutes of pasta cooking time for crunchy veggies. Add to the last 7 minutes for more a bit more tender vegetables. Or you can easily steam or stir fry them separate.
3. Variations: This recipe is super adaptable with all different kinds of veggies. Some ideas to try are yellow summer squash, zucchini, any color of bell pepper, snow pea pods, and cauliflower. I'd love to hear what yummy versions you come up with. You could also add chopped tomatoes at the end with the green onions.