Easy Pasta Primavera Recipe

This easy Pasta Primavera recipe is the BEST way to eat your veggies and it’s ready is just 30 minutes! Made with rigatoni pasta, fresh bite-size vegetables and topped with a squeeze of lemon and Parmesan cheese, this Pasta Primavera recipe is a light pasta dish packed with tons of vegetables and tons of flavor.

There is a lot to love about Pasta Primavera but my number one thing is that this is the perfect pasta dish regardless if you are a veggie lover or not. Let me get this out of the way right now.

I am not a vegetable person. I’m a fruit person.

Maybe I like a handful of veggies and when I see a dish with a dozen different vegetables in it, I’ll usually pass on it because I am a fruit person, not a veggie person.

My position was firm until I saw a plate of Pasta Primavera walk itself past my table one night when we out at a local restaurant and I knew I had to give it a try. 

I made it, I loved it, I went back for seconds and even ate the leftovers the next day. Seriously!!!

what is pasta primavera

Pasta Primavera is an easy vegetable dish that is super veggie forward with a pasta backbeat.

In Italian, primavera means ‘spring’ and in recipes it usually refers to springtime vegetables.

Pasta Primavera is a quick and easy healthy vegetable dish where fresh vegetables are the main star.

Add to the bite-size vegetables, tender pasta tossed in a light olive oil sauce and topped with lemon and parmesan cheese and you have the most delicious way to eat your veggies.

But what I love most about this Pasta Primavera Recipe is that you can really use any vegetables you like in this recipe. 

I grabbed the veggies that I knew both me and my husband would enjoy but you could clean out the fridge and add whatever you like when making this dish.

the best veggie dish EVER

• This is a super easy, super light pasta dish that is jam packed with your favorite veggies and then gets topped off with just a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. 
• Pasta and veggies, this is soon to be one of your top favorite Meatless Monday recipes.
• Filling and satisfying without tons of fat and calories.
• Are you a certified carnivore? Add grilled chicken to this Pasta Primavera Recipe for the perfect dinner.
• You can add any vegetables you like to this recipe, there are no wrong choices!
• This easy veggie dish is perfect to serve as a side dish or the main course.

To make this Pasta Primavera Recipe, you will need:

• Olive oil
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Red onion
• Sugar snap peas
• Asparagus
• Garlic
• Grape tomatoes
• Zucchini
• Red Bell Pepper
• Squash
• Lemon
• Parmesan Cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Fresh parsley
• Vegetable or chicken stock
• Rigatoni Pasta

Just look at that list of healthy yummy goodness!!

how do you make pasta primavera?

Start by setting a large pot of salted water to boil and cook rigatoni pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, heat your olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet.

Add red onion and carrots to your skillet and sauté 2 minutes.

Next, add in broccoli, asparagus and red bell pepper then sauté for 2 minutes.

Add sugar snap peas, squash and zucchini and cook for about 2 minutes or until veggies have started to soften.

Toss in your minced garlic, grape tomatoes, Italian seasoning and cook for another 1-2 minutes.

Pour your cooked pasta into your veggies, add the veggie or chicken stock and salt to your pasta and stir it all together to combine.

Add lemon zest and juice and stir again. Taste test to see if you need to add a bit of salt and pepper.

Stir in most of the Parmesan and most of the parsley then serve with remaining Parmesan and parsley on top. Serve immediately. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

pro tips for perfect pasta primavera

• Be sure to layer in your veggies. Not all vegetable cook at the same quickness.
• Everyone has their own preference on vegetable ‘doneness’. If you like your vegetables a bit more crunchy, shorten the cook time. Like your vegetables extremely well cooked? Add a bit more cook time to what is suggested.
• Don’t have stock on hand, simply reserve 1/2 cup of your pasta cooking water to mix into your finished dish.
• Want to make this dish a bit spicier? Stir in Cajun seasoning or add in a bit of diced jalapeno to your pasta.
• Add cooked chicken or shrimp to this dish if you are wanting to add meat to your pasta/veggie dish.
• Vegetables can be chopped and refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 day in advance if you would like to make this ahead.
• Don’t overcook your veggies. They should be al dente, so they provide both flavor and texture to your dish.
• If you’re using up leftover cooked vegetables, you won’t need to cook them again, just add them to the skillet to warm them through before adding your sauce.

what veggies go in pasta primavera?

Pasta Primavera actually translates to English as ‘spring pasta’ so any springtime vegetables will work.

However, I used what veggies I knew my family would enjoy most so make this recipe to your liking.

can I add meat to pasta primavera?

Yes! Grilled chicken would be perfect in this dish as well as would shrimp.

Season your chicken or shrimp and then sauté in olive oil until cooked. Remove from the skillet and add back in when everything else has cooked.

what is the best pasta for pasta primavera?

I use rigatoni pasta in this pasta primavera recipe but you could use fettuccine, penne, linguine, bucatini, all work just as well.

This is YOUR dinner recipe, there are no rules .. grab whatever pasta you and your family like best.

pasta primavera variations

Pasta Primavera with Chicken – Add in bite size pieces of cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken or left over chicken from the night before.

Pasta Primavera with Shrimp – Stir in some cooked shrimp, extra points for adding Creole seasoning!

Pasta Primavera with Cream – Add in 1/2 cup of heavy cream to your dish to make this Pasta Primavera recipe super decadent.

Pasta Primavera with Wine – Kick up your favorite veggie recipe with 1/4 cup of white wine mixed in with the broth.

more easy veggie recipes

• Roasted Vegetable Salad with Apple Vinaigrette
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Kielbasa
• Keto Broccoli Au Gratin Casserole 
• Roasted Radishes
• Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
• Roasted Rainbow Carrots 
• Garlic Parmesan Mashed Parsnips 

Enjoy!