Description
This Alfredo Pasta Primavera is a creamy, colorful pasta dish loaded with fresh vegetables and tossed in a rich homemade Parmesan Alfredo sauce. Tender bowtie pasta, crisp-tender broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, and carrots come together for an easy family-friendly dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- ½ pound bowtie pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup chopped asparagus
- ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped zucchini
- ½ cup chopped yellow squash
- ½ cup matchstick carrots
- ½ cup sliced red onion
- ½ cup grape tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
- Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
For the Alfredo Sauce
- ½ cup salted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Wash and chop all vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the bowtie pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse lightly with warm water, and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the heavy cream. Stir in the salt and pepper.
- Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until completely melted and smooth. Reduce the heat to low to keep the sauce warm.
- Heat the olive oil in another large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sauté the broccoli, asparagus, carrots, onion, and bell pepper for about 5–6 minutes.
- Add the zucchini, yellow squash, and grape tomatoes during the last 2–3 minutes of cooking so they stay tender-crisp.
- Add the cooked pasta to the Alfredo sauce and gently toss to coat.
- Fold in the sautéed vegetables until evenly combined.
- Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- Cook the pasta just until al dente so it doesn’t become soft after mixing with the sauce.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts much better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Reserve a little pasta water if you’d like to thin the Alfredo sauce.
- Feel free to add grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon for extra protein.
- This recipe is best served immediately while the sauce is creamy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 665 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 1060 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg