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Fresh Lemon Garlic Spring Pasta Recipe Easy Healthy Asparagus and Peas Dinner

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A quick, fresh, and healthy pasta dish featuring lemon zest, garlic, asparagus, and peas, perfect for spring and early summer dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 bunch (about 1 pound) asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 cup frozen or fresh peas, shelled
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon (zest and juice)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Handful of chopped fresh parsley or basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil using about 1 tablespoon of salt per 4 quarts of water; add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes.
  2. While the pasta cooks, trim the asparagus and cut into 2-inch pieces. Mince the garlic cloves finely. If using frozen peas, have them ready to add directly.
  3. About 3 minutes before the pasta is done, add asparagus and peas to the pasta water for a quick blanch. Use a slotted spoon or sieve to remove them and set aside while you drain the pasta.
  4. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the cooking water.
  5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  6. Add the blanched asparagus and peas to the skillet. Toss gently for 2-3 minutes to warm through and let flavors mingle.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the mixture and create a light sauce.
  8. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and grated Parmesan cheese.
  9. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss once more.
  10. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs and serve immediately.

Notes

If the pasta feels dry, add more reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Watch garlic carefully to avoid burning. Add lemon juice at the end to keep flavors fresh and veggies vibrant. For gluten-free, use gluten-free noodles or spiralized zucchini. For vegan, omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic pasta, spring pasta, asparagus pasta, peas pasta, healthy pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/fresh-lemon-garlic-spring-pasta-recipe-easy-healthy-asparagus-and-peas-dinner/