This Pasta Primavera recipe is everything you think a spring dish should be, beautifully bright green with loads of fresh delicious veggies. The greens in this penne pasta dish are asparagus, spinach, leeks, and mint. The intense flavors seem to pop in your mouth. This is an easy recipe that you can whip up in no time.
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❤️ Why I love this recipe
- Pasta Primavera is loaded with fresh vegetables, is meatless, and offers a nutritious choice for anyone watching their calorie intake.
- The pasta dish can be made with various vegetables, making it a great dish for using up whatever you have on hand. You can also add protein such as chicken, shrimp, or tofu to make it a more filling meal.
- This pasta primavera recipe is a simple dish to prepare, requiring only a few basic ingredients and minimal cooking time - great for busy weeknights.
Fresh vegetables, tender penne pasta, and a light and refreshing lemon mint vinaigrette are the perfect combination for bringing spring and summer back into the kitchen!
🛒 Ingredients
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Note: The full list of this recipe ingredients with their amounts and options are listed in the recipe card below.
- penne pasta -- use any short pasta you like, even whole wheat if that's what you prefer.
- asparagus -- washed and trimmed
- extra-virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- sliced leeks -- gives a mild onion flavor.
- fresh garlic
- baby spinach
- fresh lemon juice
- fresh mint leaves -- fresh mint in the sauce gives a slightly sweet bite.
- ricotta salata -- if you can't find this Italian cheese try feta instead. Feta is a bit tangier and saltier but it has the same texture.
🗒 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the Primavera pasta recipe card below.
- Cook and drain the pasta.
- Toss the asparagus with oil and salt, and then season with pepper. Transfer the asparagus to a prepared baking sheet and roast for about 10 minutes.
- Sweat the leeks and garlic in oil in a pan over medium-low heat until softened. Stir in the spinach until slightly wilted. Add the pasta and set aside.
- Make the vinaigrette by whisking oil, lemon juice, mint, and salt. Add the ricotta and stir to combine, and season with pepper.
- Toss the vinaigrette with the pasta mixture to coat and serve!
🔪 Equipment
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You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.
- pasta pot -- We love our easy to use pasta pot. For years we'd try to drain the pasta over a colander and finally our kids got us a pasta pot as a gift. I can't tell you how much easier it is to just drain the pasta over the water and then add it to the pan or bowl that we're using. Plus! You can use the pot for many other things.
- liquid measuring cup
- large glass mixing bowl
- sharp knife
- cutting board
- rimmed baking sheet
- parchment paper or aluminum foil
- large sauté pan
- measuring spoons
🤔 FAQs
These are the questions we are most frequently asked about making Pasta Primavera Recipe.
Primavera sauce is typically made with various fresh vegetables, herbs, and a light broth or white wine. While the specific ingredients can vary depending on the recipe, I’ve made a vinaigrette consisting of lemon juice, mint, oil, ricotta, and seasoning.
In cooking, the term "primavera" comes from the Italian word for "spring." When used to describe a dish, such as "pasta primavera," it typically indicates that the dish features a variety of fresh, seasonal vegetables that are often associated with springtime.
Marinara sauce is a classic tomato-based sauce, while primavera sauce is a vegetable-based sauce with a lighter, fresher taste.
Primavera sauce is believed to have originated in the United States in the 1970s, specifically at Le Cirque restaurant in New York City. It was created by Sirio Maccioni, the restaurant's owner, as a way to showcase the fresh produce of springtime.
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- Save yourself time and make the vinaigrette the night or the day before so that you only need to add it to the pasta mixture just before serving this dish.
- Since the sauce is all about showcasing the fresh produce of springtime, use the freshest vegetables you can find.
- Cook the vegetables until they are tender but still slightly crisp. This will help them retain their texture and flavor in the dish.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Cook it until it is al dente or just tender but still slightly firm to the bite.
- When making primavera pasta, use a large pan so you have plenty of room to toss everything together. This will help ensure the vegetables and pasta are evenly coated with the vinaigrette.
- Taste the pasta mixture with the vinaigrette before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to balance the flavors.
- Leeks can accumulate sand and dirt between their layers. An effective way of cleaning them involves cutting them in half lengthwise and rinsing them thoroughly under cold running water before slicing them.
📚 Variations
- You can use any combination of vegetables you like, but some common ones include bell peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, and broccoli. Bell peppers, mushrooms, green beans, peas, and carrots are also great options.
- Add meat to your pasta primavera to make it more filling and satisfying. Grilled chicken, shrimp, or scallops are popular choices.
- While I’ve penne pasta in this recipe, spaghetti or linguine are other common choices for pasta primavera. Fusilli or farfalle would also work well.
- Change the vinaigrette to a more traditional primavera sauce with cream and melted parmesan cheese, or you could also try a tomato-based sauce or a pesto sauce for a different twist.
- Add other fresh herbs to the vinaigrette, like basil, parsley, or cilantro.
- Experiment with different seasonings like lemon zest or red pepper flakes to add more depth and complexity to the dish.
🥫 Storage
Store this penne primavera in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash or extra vinaigrette or vegetable broth to the pasta mixture to help loosen it.
📗 Related Recipes
- Creamy Broccoli Pasta - The Orecchiette Pasta with Broccoli Sauce is a quick and delicious one-pan meal that is meatless and satisfying.
- Pasta With Chickpeas And Spinach - Another nutritious and delicious meatless pasta dish combining chickpeas, baby spinach, and ditalini pasta.
- Lemon Spinach Orzo Pasta - This risotto-like dish is super creamy with spinach and seasonings, making it a great side for any meal!
🍽 Serve with
Enjoy this pasta primavera alongside garlic bread or with this Parmesan Broiled Flounder. A glass of your favorite white wine is also a must with this penne primavera!
📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
Spring and summer are my favorite seasons to showcase fresh vegetables with light and refreshing flavor combinations, which is why this pasta primavera recipe is perfect to add to your midweek menu or family gatherings as the cold winter starts to fade!
It’s a meatless recipe which means that you could enjoy it as a side dish if you wanted, and the lemon-mint vinaigrette with ricotta salata cheese is a refreshing alternative to the classic creamy primavera sauce. The sauce whips into a very light lemony vinaigrette that does not weigh down the pasta and veggies.
If you'd like to try a variation of this delicious springtime themed recipe, try our Shrimp Pasta Primavera for a delightful fresh pasta vegetable flavor.
Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!
What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.
📝 Recipe Card
Pasta Primavera is a refreshing dish that’s loaded with fresh asparagus, leeks, and spinach, tossed in al dente penne pasta, and coated with a light lemon and mint vinaigrette with ricotta cheese!
Next time you have to try our Farro and Peas or our version of the Italian Risi e Bisi. It makes a delicious side and farro is a nutritional powerhouse. Our entire family - adults and children - love this recipe. And if you love colored bell peppers and pasta mixed, you're going to enjoy eating our Peppery Couscous recipe with fresh vegetables.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
📖 Recipe
Bright And Fresh Pasta Primavera
Ingredients
- 16 oz. dry penne pasta
- 16 oz. asparagus washed and trimmed
- 4 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil divided
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- Black pepper
- 2 cups sliced leeks
- 2 Tbsp. minced fresh garlic
- 10 oz. fresh baby spinach
- 6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup packed fresh mint leaves chopped
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 oz. crumbled ricotta Salata ** about ½ cup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- For the pasta cook penne in boiling water per package direction; drain.
- Toss asparagus with 2 tsp. oil and 1 tsp. salt, then season with pepper and transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil sprayed with vegetable spray. Roast asparagus until fork-tender, about 10 minutes.
- Sweat leeks and garlic in 2 tsp. oil in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat until leeks begin to soften. Stir in spinach and cook to slightly wilt. Stir in penne. Set aside.
- For the vinaigrette, whisk together 6 Tbsp. oil, lemon juice, mint, and 1 tsp. salt. Add ricotta Salata and stir just to combine, then season with pepper. Toss Vinaigrette with pasta mixture to coat. The vinaigrette can be prepared ahead of time so that you can immediately add it to the pasta mixture.
Notes
- Sand and dirt often settle in the layers of leeks. The best way I've found to clean them is to half the leeks lengthwise and rinse the leeks under cold running water until they are clean, then I slice them.
Nutrition
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Karen Howard
I just love Pasta & Asparagus, but never had them together-so this will be a change for me. I'm into bernaise sauce over mine -& usually have it on Holidays w/Ham or A Filet Mignon.
Susie
Hi MARISA, This recipe sounds delish......I cant wait to try for my family. You know how I love one dish recipes ????. Thanks, for another ????????????recipe.....
Calleigh
Asparagus + pasta = yumm! This is my kind of spring veggies and they look so tempting.
Claire
It is school holidays here so I have been spending a lot of time out of the house at the park/zoo/aquarium etc.
The other day I took the kids to an adventure playground....6 hours I sat watching them! Seriously I was exhausted. BUT I was super happy with our lunch.
Your pasta salad was lush!!!
The kids and I enjoyed a big pot of it.
I packed up some steamed shrimp as well and your delicious stuffed bread. It was a playground banquet!
It held up so well to being backed in the lunch box and was so much more appealing than the slightly stale sandwiches or greasy sausage rolls that the snack van was serving.
Thank you for this delicious recipe! I think I was the envy of the playground 😀 😀
Marisa Franca
Hi, Claire! Thank you for your sweet comment. I'm glad you and the kids enjoyed the pasta. What a wonderful way to spend the day!! xoxo
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
How I wish I could eat a bowlful of that pasta. This has everything that I love, especially the asparagus. Can't wait for my vegetables to start growing, so I can use them up to make this 🙂
Marisa Franca
You are so lucky to have asparagus in your garden, Sandhya! Hopefully, you'll be able to get your favorite veggie soon.
April
Oh Marisa! You made this looks crazy good. What a delicious looking light and healthy pasta you have here! It's 10:30 pm and now I'm hungry thanks to your mouth watering pics! Great recipe!
Marisa Franca
Hi, April! I certainly wish I could send you a big bowlful! It is so good! I hope you make some for yourself.
Michelle
I love everything about this fresh pasta salad, love the flavors especially the mint leaves. perfect for spring.
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Michelle! The mint really adds a fresh taste.
Catherine
This is certainly a perfect Spring dish! I love the bright greens tossed in. Simple meals like this with fresh ingredients are my favorite. Another wonderful meal, Marisa!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Catherine! We do love our fresh veggies and mixing them with pasta is our favorite way to serve them.
Wajeeha
This pasta looks so fresh and delicious...perfect for spring!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Wajeeha! Hope you give it a try.
Karyl Henry
This looks like a perfect spring recipe! And you could definitely swap out different veggies depending on what you have in the fridge. Saving this one for sure
Marisa Franca
Hi, Karyl! I'm sure you'll love the pasta and veggies.
Adriana Lopez Martin
Indeed a lovely dish all the green ingredients are perfect for pasta. I cook pasta very often I need yo try your pasta verde at home soon. I am sure my family will love it.
Marisa Franca
Hello, Adriana! The beauty of the recipe is that you can use your favorite veggies in season.
Frank
Spring on a plate!
Marisa Franca
Yes, it is Frank.
Molly Kumar
This looks amazing Marissa and I would totally try it. The combination of greens, pasta and ricotta is always such a hit. I'm so glad we are finally in spring and would soon see an abundance of seasonal veggies+fruits 🙂
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Molly! I am so into spring right now! I'm tired of the dreary cold. Let's hear it for fresh fruit and veggies.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
What a beautiful looking dish this is! Love that you have combined a combination of greens to make this lovely recipe. It is a great weeknight dinner option and my family would love it.
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Sandhya! We are eating so much asparagus I think we may turn green. 🙂 It just taste so good with the pasta.
Byron Thomas
That's a beautiful pasta, Marisa. I love the leek addition - such an underused ingredient in my opinion. I'm pinning this one to my private to-make recipe board. LOL
Marisa Franca
Hi, Byron! Thank you! I love using leeks and you're right about them being underused. I like roasting them with mushrooms and then putting them on top of fresh arugula. The arugula wilts a bit and I add salt, pepper, fresh lemon juice, and olive oil. It is so good. We put grilled salmon on top of it. Have a great day. 🙂
Heather
ooo.. lemon and ricotta are my favorite things to add to greens .. this dish is amazing! Healthy, beautiful and easy to make .. then you add in the pasta and you have perfection 🙂
Marisa Franca
Hello, Heather! I love lemon in just abut anything. It really enhances the taste. Have a wonderful day!!
Priya Srinivasan
Simple, bright and green. beautiful combination of spring veggies. Perfect meal anytime!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Priya! Thank you! We are planning on this dish soon.
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
What a great combo of spring veggies and lovely green herbs! Great for a light meal!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Kathryn! It is good and light. Have a great day!
Susie
Hi Marisa......Another my kind of dish.....all in one....tasty and delicious! Thanks, for another inspiration.
Love you?
Marisa Franca
Hi, Susie!! Love sharing our recipes. Are you ready for Easter? Love and hugs to all. ❤️?
Noel Lizotte
Pretty, fresh, light and easy - a perfect change up from the heavy and hearty pasta dishes I've been making all winter! Thanks for giving me a new menu option!
Marisa Franca
You're welcome, Noel! We are enjoying our lighter meals now that the weather is warming up.
Christine McMichael
Beautiful photos! This Pasta Verde is such a wonderful way to welcome spring. Definitely saving and hope to try soon!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Christine! I am so ready for spring, how about you?
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen
Hubby loves asparagus. This sounds like it has an intriguing flavor. I'm not sure what ricotta salata is, I haven't noticed it in my area.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Val! Ricotta Salata is a cheese that crumbles and is a little salty. Think of ricotta which is firmer and crumbles in the salad. You can sub another kind of cheese -- any kind you and hubby like.
Adriana Lopez Martn
Nothing like a good wholesome pasta full of green veggies and great flavors. I need to try it soon!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Adriana! Looking for pasta and lots of green veggies!
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ
This sounds like such a delicious combination of veggies and herbs in this. I can almost taste all the Yummy flavors. Would have never thought of the mint but sounds like it would be great with asparagus.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Stephanie! I don't know why I don't use mint more often. It's growing by our kitchen door and I love the taste.
Kelly @ Trial and Eater
What an easy meal to throw together! I've got a bunch of fresh asparagus, too - very timely!
Marisa Franca
We have a bunch in the fridge too, Kelly! I've been buying them every week.
Heather Seeley
This looks like my kind of pasta! Love the all the green. Great recipe!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Heather.
Kylee from Kylee Cooks
Asparagus is the epitome of spring veggies, right? this pasta looks right up my alley.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Kylee! It certainly is the epitome.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
This pasta dish looks so delicious! I love asparagus in pasta! It looks light and yummy!
Marisa Franca
This is one of our favorite recipes for spring, Elaine.
Jovina Coughlin
Nothing goes better with pasta than fresh spring vegetables. Delicious recipe you shared. I like your suggestion for roasting asparagus instead of boiling.
Marisa Franca
You're right, Jovina! I still haven't tired of asparagus. I think I'm turning green.
Veena Azmanov
Oh this looks so refreshing. I love that you added green veggies - and my favorite too. asparagus, leeks and spinach.. yum.
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Veena! I do love the greens - so fresh tasting.
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
Roasted asparagus is one of my favorite things in the spring. This pasta is so pretty and a perfect celebration of the season!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Kelsie! Right now the asparagus is delicious.
traditionallymodernfood
wat a tasty way to make kids eat greens. At times i find it hard to give my son certain vegetable this a nice idea. I should try sometime
Marisa Franca
Sometimes we do what we have to. If your son likes pasta he may overlook the greens. Make the room really dark and then give him the pasta 🙂
Dene' V. Alexander
Oh, my!! This looks absolute so refreshing for spring! I can see a few zests of a lemon finishing this off perfectly, and maybe even some parmesan.
Marisa Franca
Those suggestions sound really great. We love lemon on just about everything and hey, I'm Italian, parmesan is fantastic.
Pam Wattenbarger
This looks like the perfect meal for spring. I don't think I have ever had pasta that had mint in it before.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Pam. The mint isn't overwhelming but it finishes the dish off with a light taste that complements everything else. Hope you have a great week.
Ciao Chow Linda
I'd love to have a big helping of that for dinner tonight!
Marisa Franca
Ciao, Linda! Would love to send some over. 🙂
Diane
What a lovely spring side dish! I love the mint. What a fresh bright spark of flavor. Can't wait for our asparagus to grow!
Marisa Franca
Hi Diane! I'm ready for spring too. I have so many dishes I want to make with fresh veggies. Have a wonderful weekend.
Oana @AdoreFoods
I love the addition of all the green veggies in your recipe! Delicious and healthy. Yum!
Marisa Franca
Thank you Oana. Whenever I have the chance I love adding as many vegetables as I can to recipes.
Wajeeha
What a delicious dish...and so fresh and healthy too! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Marisa Franca
Your welcome Wajeeha! I love sharing recipes. Have you noticed that people who love to cook are always wanting to talk about food? Yep I'm that way.
Amanda {Striped Sptaula}
Sounds delicious. Leeks are one of my absolute favorite ingredients for pasta dishes. (I also cannot be trusted around a block of ricotta salata...just saying! 😉 ) Thanks for making me feel like spring on a dreary winter day!
Marisa Franca
Hi Amanda! I'm looking forward to spring too -- winter just seems to long. I'm done with it after Christmas. 🙂 I know exactly what you mean about the ricotta salata-- YUM!
Shadi
I'll have a whole pot please! This pasta dish has all my favorite greens!
Marisa Franca
Hi Shadi!! I'd love to send you the whole pot -- it is very good.
Sharee @ Savory Spicerack
Ms. Marisa I swear I love every dish you make! I feel like I am at home back in the country cuddled up in the living room next to my granny's kitchen eating these yummy dishes! Delish!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
Can't wait for spring!! Pasta and asparagus go hand in hand. Awesome!
Marisa Franca
Yes they do Gloria!! I love asparagus season and sometimes I think I go overboard and buy too much 🙂
Ali @ Home & Plate
I love the combination of all the green veggies in this dish. This is my kind of recipe. Delicious!
Marisa Franca
Thank you Ali, you get your veggie and pasta fix all at once 🙂
Thistle
Yes, please! Thank you so much for posting and inspiring! I wish I could come to dinner at your house. 🙂
Thanks for the recipe!
Happy day!
karianne
Marisa Franca
I would love to have you and your family over for dinner . . . and I'd make you my special sweetened peach tea.