Pasta Primavera
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With roasted tomatoes, zucchini, and corn, this pasta primavera is a true ode to summer.
Photo by Johnny Miller (Clarkson Potter, 2021)
The word “primavera” means springtime in Italian. But, generally, when we think of pasta primavera, we think of pasta with a chorus of vegetables from any season. With roasted tomatoes, corn, and zucchini, this pasta primavera is a true ode to summer. It’s a fresh spin on the classic dish that Le Cirque restaurant made famous in the 1970s, once described by a New York Times food columnist as “by far, the most talked-about dish in Manhattan.” The dish is rich in flavor so I love serving it as a main course, but it also makes a fantastic side to grilled chicken or Italian sausage.
“This was a wonderful dish! So flavorful and satisfying but not heavy. Perfect pasta dish for summer!”
What You’ll Need To Make Pasta Primavera
- Cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and fresh corn kernels: These summer veggies add sweetness, flavor, and texture to the dish.
- Shallots and garlic: Provide a savory, aromatic base for the pasta.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and also drizzling over the finished pasta; adds richness and enhances the flavors.
- Fusilli (or similar shape) pasta: The twisted shape holds onto the sauce and vegetables well. Penne, farfalle, gemelli, or campanelle would also work well.
- Butter: Adds richness and a silky texture to the sauce.
- Herbes de Provence: A blend of dried herbs that adds a fragrant, earthy flavor.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Adds a touch of heat and enhances the overall flavor.
- Pecorino Romano cheese: Adds a sharp, salty flavor that complements the vegetables. Parmigiano-Reggiano may be substituted.
- Basil: Adds a fresh, aromatic element and brightens the dish.
- Pine nuts: Add a nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
To begin, combine the tomatoes, shallots, garlic, olive oil, salt, and sugar on the prepared baking sheet. Toss with your hands or a rubber spatula until the vegetables are evenly coated.
Arrange the vegetables in a single layer and roast at 450°F for about 20 minutes, or until the tomatoes are starting to brown.
Remove the pan from the oven and add the zucchini and corn. Toss with a rubber spatula (the tomatoes will collapse; that’s okay) and spread into an even layer.
Roast for 5 minutes more, until the zucchini and corn are tender-crisp.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted water until al dente and drain.
Add the pasta back to the pan, along with the roasted vegetables and all their juices. Add the butter, herbes de Provence, red pepper flakes, pecorino Romano, basil, and pine nuts.
Toss well, then taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Spoon into pasta bowls and drizzle with olive oil, if desired. Serve with more grated cheese. Enjoy!
Video Tutorial
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Pasta Primavera
With roasted tomatoes, zucchini, and corn, this pasta primavera is a true ode to summer.
Ingredients
- 1¼ lbs (2 pints) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 4 shallots, thinly sliced
- 5 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1½ teaspoons sugar
- 1 medium zucchini, cut into ¼-inch chunks
- 1½ cups fresh corn kernels, from 2 ears corn
- 12 oz fusilli (or similar shape) pasta
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence (see note)
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ cup grated pecorino romano cheese, plus more for serving
- ½ cup tightly packed basil leaves, roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup pine nuts, toasted (see note)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil.
- Combine the tomatoes, shallots, garlic, olive oil, salt, and sugar on the prepared baking sheet. Toss with your hands or a rubber spatula until the vegetables are evenly coated. Arrange the vegetables in a single layer and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tomatoes are just starting to brown. Remove the pan from the oven and add the zucchini and corn. Toss with a rubber spatula (the tomatoes will collapse; that's okay) and spread into an even layer. Roast for 5 minutes more, until the zucchini and corn are tender-crisp.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, then add the pasta back to the pan. Add the roasted vegetables and all their juices to the pasta, along with the butter, herbes de Provence, red pepper flakes, pecorino Romano, basil, and pine nuts. Toss well, then taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Spoon into pasta bowls and drizzle with olive oil, if desired. Serve with more grated cheese.
- Note: Herbes de Provence can be found in the spice section of your supermarket. Most markets carry it but if you can't find it, dried thyme may be substituted.
- Note: To toast the pine nuts, put them in a dry skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until golden in spots, about 3 minutes.
Pair with
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (6 servings)
- Calories: 540
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated fat: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Sugar: 11 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Sodium: 695 mg
- Cholesterol: 27 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Comments
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This was excellent! Made it exactly as written. Great combination of flavors. Carole and I both had seconds (NOT a normal thing!). Took a little more time than I expected, but totally worth it!
I made a visit to my local farmstand and purchased fresh ingredients. This is perfect for a summer dinner party! Your directions are always spot on. No guess work. Love it. Thanks..
Yummy! I used frozen corn for ease, and a whole wheat pasta because the box was 12oz instead of 16. We found it a little sweet so next time I’d leave out the sugar and add lemon juice at the end. I also roasted chicken breast at the same time for some extra protein.
We really enjoyed this dish — great use of summer veggies, and very light. Two slight modifications: I did not use sugar, as I figured the tomatoes and corn would be sweet enough, and they were; and I used more herbes de Provence than stated in the recipe. Thank you, Jenn.
Made this tonight and served with your grilled chicken and roasted broccoli. 5/5 ⭐️ from the fam! So so good! Looking forward to the leftovers tomorrow!!
Hi Jen,
Do 4 shallots in the recipe mean 4 cloves or 4 bulbs of shallots? This has been a tricky one for me when recipes call for a certain number of shallots–not knowing for certain to use the entire bulb or just one clove. Thanks for clarifying. This recipe sounds delicious and will be making it soon. Thank you.
Diane
Hi Diane, it would be 4 full shallots. Hope you enjoy the pasta!
Hi Jenn
Another Wonderful Recipe! I made this during a heavy rain storm. I did not have a zucchini or shallots at home and I decided I was not going out in the rain to buy them. I substituted Broccoli florets and a cooking onion. Absolutely delicious! Thank you!
Made this out of Jenn’s second cookbook, but I always love coming online to review and look at comments. This was simply amazing! I had lower expectations because I wasn’t sure what to expect from the zucchini and corn, but man…it was perfect. It’s one of those seasonal recipes that you are just so excited to make when summer comes around, and it will be a summer staple for years to come. Wish I could say I used my own garden veggies, but the veggies came from the store and it was still delicious. Great way to use up my basil plant that goes quickly during summer. Thanks Jenn!
Hello: Would the Pasta Primavera go well with the Spanish Gazapacho Soup?
Hi Mary, While one of the recipes is Italian and the other is Spanish, I do think the flavors would work together nicely.
thanks for the reply. Can this be made a day before kept in the fridge?
Sure, Mary, that’s fine.
One of my favorites! Having made it a number of times, I felt confident to serve it for a dinner party. I had everything chopped and ready to go before I started the pasta so it came together quickly. In the future, I will slice the shallots right before I put them in the oven (rather than ahead of time) as they have quite a strong aroma. Guests loved it and asked for the recipe the next day!
Easy but way under seasoned. The sugar was an unnecessary addition.
I won’t make it again.
The small amount of sugar brings out the sweetness in the tomatoes. Jenn suggests tasting and adjusting seasoning before serving. How about thanks for the recipe, Jenn?! My husband and I thought it was delicious!
Excellent. I served it as a side dish for grilled chicken…what a feast…nothing to change…thank you for a beautiful recipe!
This looks like another amazing recipe. Is this dish served hot or could it be served at room temperature? Or made ahead? Thank you!
Hi LM, it’s actually good hot, cold, or at room temperature, but if I had to pick, I’d probably say hot is my favorite. And yes, you can make it ahead. Enjoy!
This pasta is nothing short of amazing. The roasted pine nuts raise this recipe to another level!
A new summer favorite! Can’t wait to make it again!
What do you think of replacing the cheese with fresh mozzarella?
Sure, Jill that would work — I’d toss mozzarella pearls in right before serving.
This is wonderful! Could it also be served at room temperature?
Thanks!
Glad you liked it! Yes, you can also serve it at room temperature.