Description
Savor the vibrant medley of fresh vegetables tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and a creamy, flavorful sauce. This Pasta Primavera is the ultimate comfort food with a healthy twist, ready to impress at any meal.
Ingredients
- For the Sauce:
- 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups half and half
- ½ chicken bouillon cube
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ¾ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¾ teaspoon dried basil
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon mustard powder
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- For the Vegetables:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- ½ cup carrots, julienned
- ½ cup red onion, sliced
- 1 cup red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 ½ cups zucchini, cut into chunks
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- For the Pasta:
- ½ pound ziti
- For the Sauce Base:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce:
- Combine chicken broth, half and half, chicken bouillon, soy sauce, hot sauce, parsley, basil, oregano, mustard powder, and red pepper flakes in a large measuring cup. Stir well and set aside.
- Prep Your Ingredients:
- Slice and measure all vegetables, grate Parmesan cheese, and prepare minced garlic.
- Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté broccoli, onions, carrots, and bell peppers for 3 minutes. Add zucchini, peas, and cherry tomatoes, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes. Remove vegetables and set aside.
- Make the Sauce Base:
- Melt butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes to form a roux.
- Combine the Sauce Ingredients:
- Gradually add the prepared sauce mixture to the skillet while stirring. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Finish the Sauce:
- Reduce heat to low, slowly add Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted. Add lemon juice for a fresh finish.
- Combine Everything:
Toss cooked pasta in the sauce until coated. Add sautéed vegetables and mix well. Cook for a few minutes until heated through
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
- Adjust the spice level by modifying red pepper flakes.
Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth to make it vegetarian
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American