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Creamy One Pot Spring Vegetable Pasta Recipe Easy Lemon Butter Sauce

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A quick and easy one pot pasta dish featuring spring vegetables in a creamy lemon butter sauce, perfect for a fresh and comforting meal with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces dry short pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle)
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
  • 1 cup asparagus tips, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup baby spinach leaves
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice and zest of 1 medium lemon
  • About 3 cups vegetable broth or water
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: trim and chop asparagus; mince garlic; zest and juice lemon; measure peas and spinach.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add minced garlic. Stir constantly until fragrant but not browned, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  3. Add dry pasta and vegetable broth (about 3 cups). Stir to separate pasta pieces and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook uncovered, stirring every 2-3 minutes. After about 7 minutes, add peas and asparagus and cook until tender.
  5. When pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed, stir in baby spinach and cream (if using). Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
  6. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and grated Parmesan cheese until cheese melts into the sauce.
  7. Give a final stir and adjust seasoning. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or water to loosen.

Notes

Stir frequently to prevent pasta from sticking and to help sauce thicken evenly. Add more broth or water if liquid evaporates too quickly. Use unsalted butter for best flavor. Add lemon juice off heat to preserve brightness. Frozen peas and asparagus can be used as substitutes. For dairy-free, swap butter for olive oil, cream for coconut cream, and Parmesan for nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: one pot pasta, spring vegetables, lemon butter sauce, easy pasta recipe, creamy pasta, quick dinner, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/creamy-one-pot-spring-vegetable-pasta-recipe-easy-lemon-butter-sauce/