Pasta Primavera

5 from 6 votes

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Pasta Primavera is a delicious dinner made with lots of vegetables, a creamy sauce, savory herbs, parmesan cheese, and of course pasta! A surprisingly light and delicious pasta dinner. So so tasty with homemade garlic bread and salad.

top down view of pasta primavera on a white plate

Pasta Primavera | An Easy Classic

Pasta Primavera is the bomb diggity and must be made. Seriously. I am in LOVE with it. Of course, I have a weird obsession with eating veggies and LOVE to pack them into my food any which way, but making fresh pasta to go along with them somehow took this meal to new heights. It’s an easy classic meal that is loved by all. Seriously, I made this for a dinner with friends and we all were seriously fighting over who would get seconds! Not even kidding.

What is Pasta Primavera?

Pasta Primavera is a simple pasta-based dish with lots of fresh vegetables, pasta and a creamy white alfredo sauce. While you might think this is an Italian dish because its pasta, believe it or not, this is an American dish from the 1970’s! There are lots of versions online and this is my version getting added to the bunch. With spring and summer right around the corner, crack out those summer veggies for a fantastic hearty and healthy dinner.

vegetables in a glass bowl

Main Ingredients Needed

Look through your fridge to see what veggies you need to use up before they go bad then make this Pasta Primavera dish for dinner! It is so versatile which makes it perfect for any day of the week. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Fettucine Pasta – this can be either homemade or store-bought. More about homemade pasta below!
  • Butter, White Onion + Garlic – these three start the base of our vegetable saute!
  • Zucchini, Asparagus, Bell Peppers + Carrots – the rest of the vegetables joining the pan. Use what you have for the best results.
  • Flour – this thickens the sauce and soaks up any of that lingering butter from sauteing the vegetables.
  • Chicken Stock or Vegetable Stock – use vegetable stock to keep this recipe vegetarian. This creates a flavorful sauce.
  • Heavy Cream – to make the sauce creamy and delicious.
  • Basil + Oregano – two dried herbs to create even more depth in this dish.
  • Salt + Pepper – and don’t forget to salt and pepper as you go!
  • Parmesan Cheese – this tops the whole dish off. Use freshly grated parmesan for the best results!
cooked vegetables and sauce in a cooking pan

Is Homemade Pasta Worth It?

Fresh pasta is one of those things that I was hesitant to try. I mean, only people on Iron Chef would make fresh pasta right? WRONG. I got my hands on some purdy little KitchenAid Pasta attachments and went to town making my own pasta.

Verdict? Holy life changing deliciousness batman.

It takes a little more time than say….opening a box of dried pasta from the store, but there is such a huge difference between the two. Homemade pasta is fresher, cheaper, more delicious {and dare I say healthier!!} than the store-bought kind. All you need is some flour, a few eggs, a little water, and these attachments.

Anyways, I definitely think making homemade pasta is worth it, especially because you can make a bunch and freeze some for later. However, that doesn’t mean this pasta primavera recipe won’t be just as delicious with store-bought pasta either. The choice is all up to you and how much time you want to put into this recipe.

A Good Fresh Pasta Alternate

While the dried boxed fettuccine is just fine to use in this recipe, try getting the fresh pasta already made in the refrigerator section at the store. It’s a great happy medium. Buitoni makes a great fresh pasta that I use on the fly!

close up of cooked vegetables and sauce in a cooking pot

How to Make Pasta Primavera

For full details on how to make Pasta Primavera, see the recipe card down below 🙂

1. Sauté Veggies

In a large pot, saute onion, garlic, zucchini, asparagus, red pepper, yellow pepper, and carrots in butter over medium heat until veggies start to soften, 5-7 minutes.

2. Make the Sauce

Sprinkle with flour and cook for 1 minute. Stir in chicken stock and let the mixture turn into a thick sauce. Add in spices, seasonings, and cream. Stir to incorporate and reduce heat to low to keep warm

3. Cook + Add the Pasta

In another large pot, bring water to boil and salt the water generously. Cook pasta until al dente and drain. Pour immediately into the pot of sauce, sprinkle over parmesan cheese and toss. If need be, add in a little pasta water to get the sauce to desired thickness. Serve immediately.

top down view of pasta primavera in a pot and on two white plates

Variations

And if you need ideas on how to customize this dish to suite your likings then I have a couple of suggestions:

  • Add Protein. If you’re looking to add some protein into this dish consider adding grilled chicken, smoked sausage, shrimp, or something like Italian Sausage. Yum!
  • Use Different Veggies. Yellow squash, broccoli, red onion, cauliflower, green beans, tomatoes, or peas. The sky is the limit with pasta primavera. Like I said before, use what you have and use what you like.
  • Lemon Juice. Squeeze about 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice into the sauce to brighten it up! Then garnish with lemon zest if you’re looking for more zing.
three quarters view of pasta primavera on a white plate

More Veggie Loaded Pasta to Try!

Loved this pasta primavera recipe? Let me know about it in the comments below 🙂

The printable recipe card is below, have a good day!

top down view of pasta primavera on a white plate
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5 from 6 votes

Pasta Primavera

Pasta Primavera is a delicious dinner made with lots of vegetables, a creamy sauce, savory herbs, parmesan cheese, and of course pasta!
servings 4 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb fettuccine store-bought or homemade
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 cup white onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 small zucchini diced
  • 1 lb asparagus chopped
  • 1 small red pepper diced
  • 1 small yellow pepper diced
  • 1 cup carrots diced
  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken stock or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 2/3 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • a little hot pasta water if needed

Instructions

  • In a large pot, saute onion, garlic, zucchini, asparagus, red pepper, yellow pepper, and carrots in butter over medium heat until veggies start to soften, 5-7 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with flour and cook for 1 minute. Stir in chicken stock and let the mixture turn into a thick sauce. Add in spices, seasonings, and cream. Stir to incorporate and reduce heat to low to keep warm
  • In another large pot, bring water to boil and salt the water generously. Cook pasta until al dente and drain. Pour immediately into the pot of sauce, sprinkle over parmesan cheese and toss. If need be, add in a little pasta water to get the sauce to desired thickness. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 813kcal | Carbohydrates: 102g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 183mg | Sodium: 507mg | Potassium: 950mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 7885IU | Vitamin C: 75mg | Calcium: 322mg | Iron: 6mg
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: pasta primavera

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Recipe Rating




28 Responses
  1. Lauren

    5 stars
    This is VERY delicious. Light and summery and packed with veggies. Everyone loved it. I made exactly as described and topped with grilled shrimp but I did use store-bought refrigerated fettuccine (buitoni brand) which was also an awesome shortcut.

  2. Vicki

    5 stars
    A new favorite- it was delicious! My family of five loved it! I used boxed pasta-will have to try homemade sometime. Thanks!

  3. Lemon Basil Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Spring Veggies | Lauren's Latest

    […] on Facebook, I shared this recipe for Summer Veggie Pasta Primavera and it got me craving pasta. Like bad. So, I whipped up a Spring version last night for dinner and […]

  4. Food Nostalgia: 40 Popular 80s recipes

    […] In another large pot, bring water to boil and salt water generously. Cook fresh pasta until al dente and drain. Pour immediately into pot of sauce, sprinkle over parmesan cheese and toss. If need be, add in a little pasta water to get sauce to desired thickness. Serve immediately. –Pasta Primavera Recipe and Photo by Lauren’s Latest […]

  5. Lauren's Latest » Lemon Basil Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Spring Veggies

    […] on Facebook, I shared this recipe for Summer Veggie Pasta Primavera and it got me craving pasta. Like bad. So, I whipped up a Spring version last night for dinner and […]

  6. Tai

    5 stars
    I totally rocked this for dinner last night. I used pantry pasta, but the sauce was AMAZING! A great way to use up some summer veggies!
    Thanks.

  7. Michelle

    This recipe looks wonderful – thanks for sharing. But I won’t be buying KA pasta attachments anytime soon unless I strike it rich. Seriously, the attachments shouldn’t cost more that the price of my KA mixer! I’m sure that homemade tastes better, but for the rare occasions I eat fresh pasta I’ll just buy it at the grocery store.

  8. Nikki @Pennies on a Platter

    OH how I wish I could use these attachments! My KA took a nose dive and bent the attachment hookup. 🙁 But, if I ever get a new KA, making pasta is the first thing I want to do ! 🙂

  9. Marjory Betchkal

    I wish I would have had this recipe when I made homemade pasta last week. I took steamed carrots and incorporated them into the pasta, it was so good.

  10. Courtney

    I’m a huge pasta dish fan, and I’m so guilty of never actually making homemade pasta. You have seriously motivated me with this recipe. It looks so rich and delicious! It will also be a great to get my family to eat some vegetables – grilled chicken on the side for sure 🙂

  11. Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious

    I’ve been wanting to get that attachment for such a long time! I’m totally making that investment soon!

  12. Cookin' Canuck

    Okay, I have one of those pasta attachments and I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve used it. That needs to change! Your pasta dish looks so fresh and the noodles look incredibly tender.

  13. Katie

    What a satisfying experience to know how fresh the pasta is! I would also agree that it’s more delicious–thanks for encouraging me to get mine back out!

  14. Living The Sweet Life

    YUUUMMMOOO!! First, lets talk about this homemade pasta business …. DELICIOUS. And the veggie overload … I love it. I need this in my life as soon as possible.

  15. Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca)

    I hope you are having a fabulous vacation!!! I am so afraid to make homemade pasta – it is one thing I am really intimidated to do in the kitchen.

  16. Amanda

    That dish looks super yummy! I love my pasta attachments but I haven’t used them in quite a while. Might be time to bust them out again!

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