Cheesy Pasta Primavera

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Cheesy Pasta Primavera, a comforting yet wholesome dish that brings together tender penne pasta, a medley of colorful sautéed vegetables, and a luxuriously creamy cheese sauce. Perfectly al dente pasta is tossed with zucchini, yellow squash, red bell pepper, carrots, cherry tomatoes, and peas, creating a rainbow of textures and flavors in every bite. The rich combination of parmesan and mozzarella cheese melts seamlessly into a velvety cream sauce, complemented by aromatic garlic, a hint of red pepper flakes, and fresh basil for a burst of freshness. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy pasta recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, offering a delightful balance of indulgence and lightness. Serve it warm, garnished with extra parmesan, for a dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 medium yellow squash, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1.25 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.

Step 2

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the diced zucchini, yellow squash, red bell pepper, and sliced carrots. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender but still slightly crisp.

Step 5

Stir in the cherry tomatoes and frozen peas. Cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften slightly.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer for 1 minute, stirring to combine.

Step 7

Add the reserved pasta water to the skillet to loosen the sauce if needed.

Step 8

Stir in the parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.

Step 9

Toss the cooked pasta with the cheesy vegetable sauce in the skillet until evenly coated.

Step 10

Remove from heat and sprinkle the chopped fresh basil over the pasta.

Step 11

Serve warm with an extra sprinkle of parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2091.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4143.9

Total Fat 227.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 121.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 577.6mg	0%
Sodium 6879.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 329.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 34.3g	0%
Total Sugars 34.8g
Protein 176.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3655.3mg	0%
Iron 21.1mg	0%
Potassium 3792.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.3%

Protein: 17.3%

Carbs: 32.4%