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Pasta Primavera is a delicious way to eat the fresh vegetables that are becoming abundant in local supermarkets at this time of the year. The term ‘primavera’ or ‘la primavera’ means the season ‘spring’ in many of the Romance languages, and I can’t think of a better way to eat fresh, seasonal spring vegetables!
Our pasta primavera recipe is one that Jack has served over the years and it is full of colorful fresh carrots, squash (zucchini and summer varieties), as well as peppers, tomatoes, and broccoli that have been tossed with tri-color pasta. Although not traditionally included in pasta primavera, we’ve also added some black olives which add great texture, color and a burst of briny flavor to this salad!
Many recipes for pasta primavera call for a cream sauce – but ours is a lighter version that allows the fresh flavors of the vegetables to really shine! A delicious and flavorful dressing is made from extra virgin olive oil and a variety of fresh herbs, and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese completes the dish.
Served warm or chilled with some crusty bread, this pasta primavera makes a wonderful light lunch. Or – it can be served as a side dish salad for a barbeque or other family meal.
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Pasta Primavera
This Pasta Primavera is equally delicious served warm or chilled.
Ingredients
- 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 4 ounces carrot sticks
- 4 ounces zucchini squash sticks
- 4 ounces summer squash sticks
- 4 ounces orange bell pepper strips
- 4 ounces yellow bell pepper strips
- 4 ounces onion strips
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil, divided
- 1 teaspoon dry oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- ½ pound tri-color spiral pasta (or other pasta of your choice)
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 4 ounces broccoli florets
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
- 1 cup drained, pitted black olives
- 4 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- In a large bowl place garlic, carrots, both types of squash, both types of peppers, onions, oil, 1 tablespoon basil, oregano, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Toss to coat and place on sheet pan and roast for ten minutes. Flip vegetables and roast for another ten.
- While vegetables are roasting, cook pasta according to package directions, drain and hold.
- In a small pan, heat stock to boil and place broccoli in stock. Blanch for 1 ½ minutes. Remove broccoli and set aside.
- Mix corn starch in a little water to make a slurry and add to hot stock. Stir and set aside.
- In a large bowl, place olives, tomatoes and parsley. Add roasted vegetables, cooked pasta and thickened chicken stock and toss gently to combine. Add Parmesan cheese and second tablespoon of fresh basil, toss.
- Serve with additional grated Parmesan and drizzled olive oil over each portion.
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Hi, I’m not a cook, but your Pasta Primavera sure looks good, and I’m going to try to make this for the weekend. I keep reading the directions, and still can’t find the dressing with herbs? Is it the chicken stock? So sorry, if you could just guide me a little, thank you
Yes Dolores – the sauce is the chicken stock! Together with the Parmesan cheese and herbs it lightly coats the pasta and the vegetables. We hope you enjoy the recipe!