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pasta dish on white ceramic bowl

Pasta primavera

Pasta primavera, which means “spring pasta” in Italian, was invented in New York City during the 1970s.
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Calories 426 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Vegetables:
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 large carrots peeled and sliced diagonally
  • 1 cup bite-size broccoli pieces
  • 1 red bell pepper seeded and sliced into strips
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 ounces white mushrooms washed and sliced
  • 2 medium zucchini sliced diagonally
  • 1 medium summer squash sliced diagonally
  • Sauce:
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 large onion diced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 12 fresh basil leaves chopped
  • 1 pound pasta

Instructions
 

  • For the vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the carrots and cook for 1 minute. Then add the broccoli; cook for another minute. Add the red peppers; cook 1 minute more. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set aside.
  • To the skillet, add the butter and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil; allow to heat up. Add the mushrooms, zucchini and squash, and cook until starting to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and add them to the other vegetables. Set aside.
  • For the sauce: Add the garlic and onions to the skillet, and cook until starting to turn translucent, about 2 minutes.
  • Next, pour in the chicken broth and wine; stir, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen all the flavorful bits. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until reduced by about half. Stir in the cream and Parmesan, and allow the cheese to melt. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
  • Add the cooked vegetables to the sauce, along with the peas and basil; stir to combine. If the sauce needs a little more liquid, splash in a small amount of broth. Place the cooked pasta in a large serving bowl and pour all the contents of the skillet over the pasta; toss to combine. Sprinkle with extra basil, and serve with extra Parmesan.

Notes

If you dislike wine, use only chicken broth instead.