Creamy One-Pan Primavera Pasta in 30 Minutes

The key to a serene and flavourful dinner, even on the busiest evenings, is to start with the right recipe. This creamy one-pan primavera pasta is designed to maximise your time and minimise steps, bringing a complete and tasty dish to the table in approximately 30 minutes. Featuring seasonal vegetables like courgettes, asparagus, and peas, all enveloped in a velvety sauce enriched with Parmesan, it offers authentic comfort without complications. It’s a smart way to enjoy the freshness of spring with the convenience of only one pan to wash.

Quick Overview

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium courgette, diced
• 3.5 oz (100g) asparagus, trimmed and sliced
• ½ yellow pepper, thinly sliced
• 5.3 oz (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3.5 oz (100g) frozen peas
• 24.6 fl oz (700ml) hot vegetable stock
• 11.3 oz (320g) short-cut pasta (e.g., penne, fusilli)
• 2.8 oz (80g) cream cheese (Philadelphia style)
• 1.8 oz (50g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method

1. Prepare the vegetables: finely chop the onion and garlic; dice the courgette, yellow pepper, and slice the asparagus. Halve the cherry tomatoes.
2. In a large, non-stick pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over a medium flame. Add the onion and yellow pepper, sauté for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened. Stir in the garlic, courgette, and asparagus, and continue cooking for another 3 minutes.
3. Pour the hot vegetable stock into the pan. Add the raw pasta, frozen peas, and cherry tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
4. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the cream cheese and half of the grated Parmesan cheese, mixing vigorously until a creamy sauce forms. If necessary, add a splash of cooking water if the pasta appears too dry.
5. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

Serving & Leftovers

Serve the creamy primavera pasta immediately to best enjoy its texture and flavours. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. You may need to add a tablespoon of water or stock when reheating to restore its creaminess.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portions.

One Last Thing

Preparing a satisfying and complete dinner doesn’t have to be a chore. This creamy one-pan primavera pasta exemplifies how, with a few ingredients and a clear method, you can bring a balanced meal to the table even on the busiest evenings. It’s a versatile foundation that can be adapted with your favourite seasonal vegetables, making it a reliable solution for any week.