Roasted Vegetable Pasta Primavera (Printable)

Italian-inspired pasta tossed with roasted seasonal vegetables, olive oil, garlic, and fresh Parmesan. Light, hearty, and ready in 40 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced
03 - 1 medium yellow squash, sliced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
05 - 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
06 - 1 small red onion, sliced
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 cup broccoli florets

→ Seasonings & Aromatics

09 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
10 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
12 - ½ teaspoon salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Garnish

15 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
17 - Lemon wedges (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli on the sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly and spread in a single layer.
02 - Roast for 18-20 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until lightly browned and tender.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta.
04 - In a large skillet over medium heat, add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Add roasted vegetables and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen if needed. Remove from heat. Stir in half the Parmesan and fresh basil or parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning.
06 - Serve immediately, topped with remaining Parmesan and extra herbs. Add a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It turns a pile of vegetables into something that feels indulgent without any cream or heavy sauces.
  • The roasted veggies get these caramelized edges that make every bite a little sweet, a little smoky, and totally satisfying.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables are hanging out in your fridge and it still works beautifully.
  • It comes together in about 40 minutes, which means you can have a real meal on the table without spending your whole evening in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the vegetables on the baking sheet or they'll steam instead of roast, and you'll miss out on those caramelized edges that make this dish special.
  • Reserving some pasta water is non-negotiable because that starchy liquid is what helps the oil and cheese cling to every piece of pasta instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
  • Sauté the garlic just until fragrant, not a second longer, because burnt garlic tastes bitter and will ruin the whole vibe.
03 -
  • Roast your vegetables on the highest oven rack to get the best caramelization and those crispy, golden edges.
  • Toss the hot pasta with the cheese off the heat so it melts smoothly instead of clumping into strings.
  • Taste your pasta water before draining, it should be as salty as the sea, and that seasoning will carry through to the finished dish.
  • If you want a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you sauté the garlic for a gentle kick that lingers.
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