"Pasta primavera is loaded with spring veggies, tossed in a light lemon cream sauce."
Creamy Pasta Primavera
5
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
Jump to Section
- Recipe Card
Prep time: 30mins
Cook time: 30mins
Serves or Makes: 4
Recipe Card
ingredients
- 1 pound fettuccine pasta
- 1 1/2 cups leeks, chopped
- 1 cup shaved asparagus (details below)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 handful of arugula
- 1 handful of chives, snipped
- 4 medium shallots, chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 zested lemon
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, to garnish
Method
Step 1
Trim the very bottoms of the asparagus. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the outer dark green layer off the bottom half of each asparagus (this part is tough and chewy). Discard. Use the veggie peeler again to shave the tender bottom half of each asparagus spear into ribbons until they’re too thin to work with. Do the same for the top half of each asparagus spear. After you have a cup of asparagus ribbons, set them aside. See video for details on ribbon technique for step-by-step instructions (on my website linked).
Step 2
Microwave peas with 2 tablespoons of water in a covered bowl for 2 minutes. Drain. Set aside.
Step 3
In a large skillet or pot, add shallots, garlic, and olive oil. Sauté for 3-5 minutes over medium heat until shallots soften.
Step 4
Add asparagus ribbons and leeks. Sauté for an additional 3-5 minutes until asparagus softens.
Step 5
Make a well in the center of the veggies. Turn heat to very low. Add cream, lemon zest, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Stir. Keep heat on low just to warm the cream while boiling the pasta.
Step 6
Boil pasta. Reserve ⅓ cup pasta water towards the ending of the cooking process.
Step 7
Add pasta, chives, arugula, peas, and parmesan to the veggie and cream mixture. Toss. Add pasta water to desired consistency (I add it all).
Step 8
Add pasta, chives, arugula, peas, and parmesan to the veggie and cream mixture. Toss. Add pasta water to desired consistency (I add it all).