Pasta and Vegetable Toss

Brighten up your weeknight dinners with this colorful and wholesome Pasta and Vegetable Toss! Bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors, this easy 30-minute recipe combines tender pasta with a medley of sautéed vegetables, including bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and spinach, all lightly seasoned with garlic, olive oil, and a hint of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Perfect for vegetarians or anyone seeking a healthy, hearty meal, this dish is as versatile as it is delicious—pair it with a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra creaminess or keep it vegan by skipping the cheese. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, this pasta recipe is a go-to for busy nights and a surefire crowd-pleaser.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz Pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 Zucchini, diced
• 2 cups Broccoli florets
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cups Spinach leaves
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 0.25 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the red bell pepper, zucchini, and broccoli florets to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables start to soften.

Step 5

Stir in the cherry tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 6

Add the spinach leaves to the skillet, stirring until wilted, about 1 minute.

Step 7

Season the vegetables with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if desired).

Step 8

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine with the vegetables.

Step 9

If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to reach your desired consistency.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 11

Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1118.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1348.8

Total Fat 66.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 94.8mg	0%
Sodium 4287.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 120.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.9g	0%
Total Sugars 15.7g
Protein 74.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1535.1mg	0%
Iron 7.8mg	0%
Potassium 1475.9mg	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: 43.3%

Protein: 21.8%

Carbs: 34.9%