Creamy Pasta Primavera (Print View)

Vibrant one-pot pasta with fresh vegetables and creamy Parmesan sauce. Quick, satisfying, and perfect for busy weeknights.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 cup snap peas, trimmed and halved
07 - 1 medium carrot, sliced thin
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce

09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 3 cups vegetable broth
11 - 1 cup heavy cream
12 - 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
16 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add garlic, zucchini, bell peppers, carrot, and snap peas. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until slightly softened.
02 - Add pasta, cherry tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
03 - Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs. Simmer uncovered for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens and coats pasta and vegetables.
04 - Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and stir in fresh basil.
05 - Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and basil if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The entire cooking process takes just one pot, meaning youll spend more time enjoying dinner and less time scrubbing dishes afterward.
  • The vegetables maintain their distinct textures and bright colors since everything cooks together at just the right pace, creating a dish thats as beautiful as it is delicious.
02 -
  • Dont drain the pasta liquid completely if it hasnt all absorbed when the pasta is done cooking, as that starchy liquid is essential for creating the perfect sauce consistency.
  • Adding the cherry tomatoes with the pasta rather than with the other vegetables keeps them from breaking down too much, maintaining those perfect little bursts of flavor in the final dish.
03 -
  • Prep all vegetables before you begin cooking, arranging them in the order theyll be used, which transforms a potentially chaotic cooking experience into a smooth, almost meditative process.
  • If the sauce seems too thin after adding the cream, simply let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes, but if its too thick, add a splash of broth or even pasta water reserved before draining.
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