Pasta Primavera with Roasted Vegetables (View Print Version)

Vibrant Italian pasta tossed with roasted seasonal vegetables, garlic, olive oil, and fresh Parmesan for a light yet satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced
03 - 1 medium yellow squash, sliced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
05 - 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
06 - 1 small red onion, sliced
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 cup broccoli florets

→ Seasonings and Aromatics

09 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
10 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
12 - ½ teaspoon salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional

→ Garnish

15 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
17 - Lemon wedges, optional

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli on the sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly and spread in a single layer.
02 - Roast for 18 to 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until lightly browned and tender.
03 - Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta.
04 - In a large skillet over medium heat, add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Add roasted vegetables and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen, if needed.
06 - Remove from heat. Stir in half the Parmesan and fresh basil or parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning.
07 - Serve immediately, topped with remaining Parmesan and extra herbs. Add a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It clears out your crisper drawer and makes you look like you planned a colorful, magazine worthy dinner.
  • Roasting the vegetables instead of boiling them means you get crispy edges and concentrated sweetness in every bite.
  • The whole thing comes together in under an hour, and you only really need one pot and one pan.
  • It tastes just as good the next day, cold from the fridge or quickly reheated with a splash of pasta water.
02 -
  • Do not skip reserving the pasta water, it has starch that helps the oil and cheese cling to the noodles instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
  • If your vegetables are not browning, your oven might not be hot enough or they are piled too high, spread them out more and give them space to breathe.
  • Add the Parmesan off the heat so it melts gently instead of clumping into rubbery strings.
03 -
  • Roast your vegetables on the top rack of the oven for more intense browning and caramelization.
  • Use a mix of pasta shapes if you are low on one kind, it makes the dish feel more rustic and homemade.
  • Toss a handful of baby spinach or arugula into the hot pasta at the very end for extra greens without any extra effort.
  • If you like it richer, stir in a tablespoon of butter along with the Parmesan for a silkier finish.
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