Pesto Pasta Primavera Recipe (2024)

This pasta primavera recipe is for all the veggie lovers!

A combination of vegetables and pasta strands are each coated in a simple pesto sauce to create a simple yet fresh-tasting meal!

These days I love a good pasta primavera recipe because it comes together simply. I feel as though this is one of those meals where you open your fridge and mix whatever is inside with whatever pasta you have in your pantry and call it a meal! It sounds so exotic, expensive, and fancy but it’s actually incredibly frugal and simple.

What Is Pasta Primavera?

Traditionally, a primavera pasta is made with asparagus, broccoli, peas, mushrooms, and tomatoes all in a creamy, Parmesan sauce. While you might think the nationality of this dish is Italian, this is an American dish created in the 1970s. As with many classic dishes, the origins are a bit fuzzy.

Ingredients

• Linguini noodles
• Butter
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Baby Bella mushrooms
• Zucchini
• Red bell pepper
• Salt
• Pesto
• Lemon zest and juice
• Fresh spinach
• Yellow cherry tomatoes

For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.

How To Make Pesto Pasta Primavera

1. To start, prepare your pasta according to package directions. I chose to use linguini noodles, but quite honestly, any pasta shape will be sufficient. Cook the pasta until al dente, drain the pasta, but reserve about 1 cup of the salted water.
2. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, cook for a minute before adding sliced zucchini, mushrooms, peppers, and a little salt and pepper. Cook the vegetables just until they begin to soften.
3. Add the drained pasta to the same skillet. Add the pesto, turning to coat. I used a jarred pesto, but of course, homemade pesto is welcome!
4. Add a little lemon zest and a splash of lemon juice. This will add a touch of freshness that will liven the sauce and the veggies.
5. Add splashes of water from the reserved cup of pasta water to the pesto sauce. The starch from the cooked pasta will magically thicken the sauce and of course at a little more flavor to the whole dish!
6. Just before serving, stir in fresh spinach leaves and halved cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle your pasta with grated Parmesan cheese!

How To Make Pasta Primavera With Chicken

To make this chicken pasta primavera, I personally think using a rotisserie chicken is the way to go. Shred your already cooked chicken and add it to your vegetables at the same time you add your pasta. Then coat with pesto and proceed with the recipe.

For a different protein, try this Pasta Primavera Recipe with Salmon.

FAQs

Can Pasta Primavera Be Frozen?

The short answer is yes. However, it really depends on the vegetables you use for this recipe. If you use broccoli, peas, and peppers, then the pasta can be placed in an airtight container and frozen for up to a month. When ready, add butter and garlic to a deep skillet. Add the frozen pasta and heat until warmed through, turning to coat. Stir with Parmesan cheese.

If your primavera contains zucchini, yellow squash, or mushrooms, then I would avoid freezing this pasta as the vegetables would be too soft.

What Veggies Go In Pasta Primavera?

Primavera means “springtime” in Italian, which is why you most often see spring vegetables like peas, asparagus, and broccoli, matchstick carrots, and edamame. I personally believe that any vegetable will work in this dish!

For this recipe, I decided to go for color!

Does Pasta Primavera Have A Sauce?

Yes! Typically you will find garlic and butter sauce infused with Parmesan cheese. In keeping with the green, fresh-tasting, veggie theme, I used pesto sauce for this pasta primavera instead.

For Pasta Recipes, Try:

• Shrimp Lo Mein
• Pesto Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Sausage Pasta with Spinach and Leeks
• Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Pasta