Terri's Almost Famous Clean Out the Veggie Drawer Pasta Primav

Transform your leftover vegetables into a vibrant, restaurant-worthy dish with **Terri's Almost Famous Clean Out the Veggie Drawer Pasta Primavera**! This comforting recipe celebrates versatility and sustainability, using a medley of crisp, colorful veggies—like zucchini, bell peppers, and broccoli—tossed in a luxurious garlic-Parmesan cream sauce. Perfectly cooked pasta of your choice serves as the foundation, while a hint of lemon juice and fresh herbs brighten every bite. Ready in just 35 minutes, this quick and easy dinner is ideal for busy weeknights and a great way to reduce food waste. Serve it with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan, and watch everyone ask for seconds! Perfect keywords: pasta primavera recipe, leftover vegetable recipe, creamy pasta with veggies, quick and easy dinner ideas.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces pasta of your choice (penne, spaghetti, or fusilli)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cups mixed vegetables (zucchini, bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, etc.), chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.

Step 2

In a large skillet or wok, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and diced onion. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.

Step 4

Add the chopped mixed vegetables to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.

Step 5

Toss in the cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes until they begin to soften.

Step 6

Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 7

Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.

Step 8

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 9

Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley or basil.

Step 10

Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on the side!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1950.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2579.4

Total Fat 171.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 85.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.3g
Cholesterol 381.0mg	0%
Sodium 4177.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 198.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 39.1g	0%
Total Sugars 47.3g
Protein 79.0g	0%

Vitamin D 2.2IU	0%
Calcium 1525.0mg	0%
Iron 14.0mg	0%
Potassium 3699.0mg	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: 58.2%

Protein: 11.9%

Carbs: 29.9%