Penne with Asparagus

Bright, fresh, and irresistibly flavorful, this Penne with Asparagus recipe combines tender pasta with vibrant spring asparagus for a quick and satisfying meal. Tossed with zesty lemon juice, fragrant garlic, and a hint of red pepper flakes, this dish strikes the perfect balance between light and indulgent. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese melts into a silky sauce, while the reserved pasta water ties everything together into a beautifully cohesive dish. Ready in just 25 minutes, it's perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress with minimal effort. Serve it hot, garnished with more Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil, for a crowd-pleasing vegetarian dinner that captures the essence of simple, seasonal cooking. Keywords: penne with asparagus, quick pasta recipes, vegetarian pasta, spring dinner ideas, asparagus pasta recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 1 pound asparagus
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves
• 0.25 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.5 cups pasta water

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the asparagus. Trim the tough ends of the asparagus and cut into 2-inch pieces.

Step 3

In a large, deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic cloves (minced) and red pepper flakes, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 4

Add the asparagus pieces to the skillet and sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are tender but still crisp.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked penne to the skillet with the asparagus. Pour in the reserved 1/2 cup of pasta water and toss everything together.

Step 6

Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to combine so that the cheese melts and creates a light sauce coating the pasta and asparagus.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1051.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1910.3

Total Fat 63.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 15.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.2g
Cholesterol 44.5mg	0%
Sodium 2695.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 275.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.9g	0%
Total Sugars 9.4g
Protein 69.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 582.0mg	0%
Iron 22.5mg	0%
Potassium 1693.9mg	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: 29.1%

Protein: 14.3%

Carbs: 56.6%