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Recipes

3 Light and Easy Pasta Primaveras to Make This Spring

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Ithaca chapter.

The sun is out, the birds are chirping, and the farmer’s market is officially open. In honor of spring, I made three colorful pasta dishes using seasonal produce. Also known as pasta primavera (“spring pasta” in Italian), these quick and health dinners are perfect for celebrating springtime.

#SpoonTip: Use not-so-common pasta shapes to liven it up.

Caprese Fusilli

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 3 minutesCook time: 15 minutesTotal time: 18 minutesServings:4 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Photo by Tess Le Moing

    Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water — follow the box instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid.

  2. Photo by Tess Le Moing

    In a medium skillet heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

  3. Photo by Tess Le Moing

    Add tomatoes, salt, and pepper. As the tomatoes cook and soften, smash them with a fork. Continue to cook until the tomatoes make a sauce, about 4 minutes.

  4. Photo by Tess Le Moing

    Add tomato sauce to pasta and toss to combine.

  5. Photo by Tess Le Moing

    Add basil leaves, mozzarella, and reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time until pasta is moist.

Rainbow Ricciolo

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 5 minutesCook time: 20 minutesTotal time: 25 minutesServings:4 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Photo by Tess Le Moing

    Preheat oven to 425ºF. Place bell peppers, red onion, and garlic cloves on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, toss to coat.

    Roast until flesh is tender and skin is slightly burnt, about 15 minutes.

  2. Photo by Tess Le Moing

    Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water — follow the box instructions.

  3. Photo by Tess Le Moing

    Toss the pasta with the peppers and onions. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Green Monster Barilotti

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 5 minutesCook time: 15 minutesTotal time: 20 minutesServings:4 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Photo by Tess Le Moing

    Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water — follow the box instructions.

  2. Photo by Tess Le Moing

    Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook onions and jalapeño until soften, 5 minutes.

  3. Photo by Tess Le Moing

    Increase heat to medium-high. Add zucchini and sugar snap peas, cook for 5 minutes. Add asparagus and cook until softened, about 5 more minutes.

  4. Photo by Tess Le Moing

    Place pasta in a large bowl and stir in veggie mixture. Top with pesto and Parmesan.

Just another college student looking for the balance between happy and not hungry.