This simple Pasta Primavera is packed with veggies and a simple primavera sauce. It’s fresh, healthy, and your table in 20 minutes.
Check out our other favorite pasta salads including Italian Pasta Salad and Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad.
Pasta Primavera translates to “Spring Pasta” and it’s, obviously, perfect for this time of year! It’s completely customizable to what kind of veggies you like or have on hand! I added broccolini (the best!), bell pepper, snap peas and cherry tomatoes, but feel free to add whatever you like.
About the sauce:
Pasta primavera sauce is a very simple sauce made by combining chicken broth, parmesan cheese, cream, salt, pepper, and basil. You can also leave off the sauce and simply toss the pasta and veggies in a little olive oil or melted butter, fresh parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper.
How to Make Pasta Primavera:
- Cook Pasta, set aside.
- Sauté veggies in oil with fresh garlic. Cook until slightly tender; you don’t want to cook them too long.
- Make primavera sauce: Add butter, chicken broth, and cream to a pan. Bring to a simmer and stir in cheese. Season with salt and pepper,
- Toss all ingredients to combine. Add cooked pasta and veggies to the pan, toss, and top with fresh basil, if desired.
Recipe Variations:
- Add protein: Feel free to toss in cooked chicken, tofu, or sautéd shrimp.
- Add veggies: use whatever you have on hand. Zucchini, squash, broccoli are all great additions.
- Swap the noodles: any type of pasta is great for pasta primavera. I am partial to bite sized pasta like penne, barilla, ziti, or shells, but use whatever you have on hand.
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Recipe
Pasta Primavera
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta (or other pasta)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- An assortment of your favorite fresh veggies ,chopped (i.e. snap peas, broccolini, bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, onion, asparagus, peas, spinach, cherry tomatoes)
For the sauce:
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 2/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (or half and half)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese ,or more, to taste
- salt and freshly ground black pepper ,to taste
- fresh basil leaves , chopped (for garnish, if desired)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Set aside.
- Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add veggies, season them with a little salt and pepper, and sauté for about 2-4 minutes, just until slightly tender. You don't want to cook them too long. Remove to a plate.
- Add butter to pan. Add chicken broth and cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. If the sauce seems too thick, add more chicken broth, cream or water, to your liking.
- Add cooked pasta and veggies to the pan and toss to combine. Top with fresh basil, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe April 2017. Updated April 2021.
Really easy, delicious recipe perfect for summer nights! We made this with mushrooms, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, peas and red bell peppers. My toddler loved it and also got a ton of veggies. We made it with half and half. Definitely keeping this recipe in rotation.
So yummy, whole family loved it! I love how easy it is to make and how flexible/versatile it is too!
Absolutely delicious! Such a beautiful dish and you could never have enough veggies in my opinion. The is a keeper.
This is a great meal especially when you need dinner in a hurry! I like to add black olives and I always keep a jar of roasted red peppers 9n hand ! Delicious!
This was a great recipe! I have a love-hate relationship with veggies. Meaning I hate more of them than I love! When a recipe author says to add any veggies you like I go blank. Thank you, thank you for your list of suggested veggies to use. I jumped right on this. You made it sooo easy for me. You already know what this recipe tastes like and you doubled my choices. Thanks for a great new recipe!
Amazing. My meat loving husband went back for thirds!
We loved this pasta and it’s so easy to make! This one is a keeper for sure!
That picture seriously screams SPRING for me. WHICH MAKES SENSE BECAUSE
Pasta Primavera translates to “Spring Pasta”
I had no idea for all these years, haha!
This is one of my weeknight favorites. So simple and oh so yummy! Even my picky son likes it.