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Fresh Lemon Basil Pasta Primavera with Grilled Summer Vegetables

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A quick and easy pasta primavera featuring smoky grilled summer vegetables, fresh lemon, and aromatic basil for a vibrant and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or penne; whole wheat recommended)
  • 1 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and quartered
  • 1 yellow squash, sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 red onion, cut into thick slices
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse all produce. Slice zucchini and yellow squash lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick strips. Quarter the bell pepper, halve the cherry tomatoes, and slice the red onion into thick rings. Set aside. (10 minutes)
  2. Preheat the grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot enough to sizzle a drop of water. Brush the veggies lightly with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. (5 minutes)
  3. Grill the zucchini, squash, bell pepper, and onion about 3-4 minutes per side until tender and charred but not mushy. Grill cherry tomatoes for about 1-2 minutes until softened and blistered. Remove veggies and chop into bite-sized pieces. (10 minutes)
  4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. (10 minutes)
  5. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together lemon zest and juice, minced garlic, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. (3 minutes)
  6. Add cooked pasta to the bowl and toss to coat. If pasta feels dry, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen and create a silky texture. (3 minutes)
  7. Gently fold in chopped grilled vegetables and fresh basil leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. (2 minutes)
  8. Plate the pasta primavera and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with fresh basil leaves. (2 minutes)

Notes

Do not overcook the grilled vegetables; they should retain some bite and smokiness. Add lemon and basil at the end to preserve freshness. Save some pasta water to loosen the dressing if needed. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta primavera, lemon basil pasta, grilled vegetables, summer pasta, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, healthy pasta

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/fresh-lemon-basil-pasta-primavera-recipe-easy-grilled-summer-veggies/