Pasta Primavera with Roasted Vegetables (Printable)

Roasted seasonal vegetables tossed with penne, garlic, and olive oil. A light yet satisfying Italian-inspired dish finished with fresh Parmesan.

# 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

# Directions:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns a pile of vegetables into something colorful and comforting without any fuss.
  • The roasted edges add a sweetness you just can't get from steaming or boiling.
  • It's flexible enough to use whatever's in season or sitting in your crisper drawer.
  • You can have it on the table in under an hour, and it feels like a restaurant dish.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the baking sheet or the vegetables will steam instead of roast, and you'll miss out on those caramelized edges.
  • Save some pasta water before draining, it's the secret to making the sauce silky and helping everything stick together.
  • Add the garlic to the skillet at the very end so it doesn't burn and turn bitter.
  • Toss the pasta off the heat after adding the Parmesan so the cheese melts smoothly instead of clumping.
03 -
  • Use a mix of pasta shapes if you have odds and ends in the pantry, it makes the dish feel more rustic and interesting.
  • Grate your own Parmesan instead of using the pre-grated kind, the flavor is sharper and it melts better.
  • If your vegetables release a lot of water while roasting, pour it off halfway through so they brown instead of steam.
  • A pinch of lemon zest stirred in at the end adds brightness without making the dish taste citrusy.
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