Description
Creamy Pasta Primavera is a vibrant and delicious dish featuring linguine pasta tossed with a medley of sautéed fresh vegetables in a rich and creamy Parmesan sauce, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1/2 pound linguine pasta
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 3 large carrots, diced in 1/2 inch pieces
- 1/2 head broccoli, cut into small florets
- 2 small zucchinis (or 1 large), cut in half lengthwise then into 1/4 inch slices
- 1 small red bell pepper, seeds removed and sliced into 1/4 inch strips
- 1 small green bell pepper, seeds removed and sliced into 1/4 inch strips
- 1 small orange bell pepper, seeds removed and sliced into 1/4 inch strips
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Fat & Flavorings
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons basil paste
Dairy
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Carrots: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add diced carrots and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes or until they begin to soften.
- Add and Cook Remaining Vegetables: Add broccoli florets and sliced zucchini to the skillet. Stir and cook for 3 minutes. Then add the three colors of bell peppers and continue cooking for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until all vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Season Vegetables: Stir in minced garlic and basil paste, mixing well to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Turn off the heat and remove the skillet from the burner to prevent overcooking.
- Combine Pasta and Vegetables: Return the drained linguine to the empty pot. Add the cooked vegetables along with the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Gently fold and stir everything together to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy sauce.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the pasta warm, optionally garnished with extra basil paste and Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your Creamy Pasta Primavera!
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting quality.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it may be less rich.
- Add fresh basil leaves as garnish to enhance flavor and presentation.
- For gluten-free, substitute the linguine with gluten-free pasta.
- Do not overcook the vegetables; keep them tender-crisp for best texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated with a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce.
