Pasta Primavera
An explosion of freshness and color on your plate. Perfectly al dente penne pasta tossed with a vibrant rainbow of crisp vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, and aromatic fresh herbs.
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30 min
Easy
Italiana
3 servings
The story behind
Oh man, this is the absolute ultimate dish for warm, sunny days! I remember the first time I made this was for a casual summer backyard dinner with friends. We wanted something satisfying yet incredibly light, so we just gathered whatever fresh produce we had in the fridge. A chef friend once told me the secret is to add the veggies in stages so they all finish cooking at the exact same time; you want them to keep that gorgeous bright color and a lovely snap when you bite into them. It's a wonderful, fuss-free meal perfect for a relaxed weekend lunch or a breezy patio dinner. Serve it alongside some warm garlic bread and a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc to perfectly complement the fresh garden flavors.
Instructions
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1Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Drop the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about half a cup of the pasta water right before draining.
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2While the pasta cooks, heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
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3Add the carrot matchsticks and broccoli florets to the skillet first. Saute for about 3 to 4 minutes since these are the firmest vegetables.
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4Stir in the minced garlic and zucchini slices. Keep sauteing for another 2 minutes, making sure the garlic doesn't burn so it stays sweet.
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5Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for just one more minute, allowing them to release their juices slightly without losing their shape.
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6Transfer the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the vegetables. Splash in a bit of the reserved pasta water to help gloss and bind everything together beautifully.
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7Turn off the heat, season generously with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, and fold in the fresh basil leaves gently.
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8Divide into warm bowls and top with a generous dusting of freshly grated parmesan cheese if you like.
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