Lemon-Herb Pasta Primavera

A light and fresh Italian-inspired pasta dish tossed with tender-crisp vegetables, a bright lemon-herb sauce, and cherry tomatoes. Quick to prepare, it's a vibrant and satisfying weeknight meal.
- Prep: 10 min
- Cook: 12 min
- Total: 22 min
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: $1.21/serving
Dietary
- Egg-Free
- Nut-Free
- Pescatarian
- Soy-Free
- Vegetarian
- Low-Sugar
- Low-Fat
- Low-Saturated-Fat
- Low-Cholesterol
- Low-Calorie
Tags
- quick
- stir-fry
- fresh
- healthy
- budget-friendly
- tangy
Ingredients
- 8 ounce spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 zucchini (medium, finely diced)
- 0.5 cup vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 0.75 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes and finely diced zucchini to the skillet. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften slightly and the zucchini is tender-crisp.
- Pour in the vegetable broth, lemon juice, chopped fresh parsley, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce and vegetables. Toss to combine, adding a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water if needed to loosen the sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 254
- Protein: 8.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 46.9 g
- Fat: 4.6 g
- Fiber: 4.4 g
- Sodium: 546 mg
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Sugar: 2.6 g