Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups half and half
- ½ chicken bouillon cube
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ¾ teaspoons EACH: dried parsley, basil, oregano, mustard powder
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Vegetables and Pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup carrots, julienned
- ½ cup red onion, sliced
- 1 cup red bell pepper, sliced
- ½ zucchini, cut into chunks (equal to 1 ½ cups)
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
- salt/pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ½ lb. ziti
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Get everything ready
Before you start cooking, measure out all your ingredients. This makes the process smooth and stress-free. - Boil the pasta
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a generous pinch of salt, and cook the pasta until al dente. Don’t overcook—it will finish cooking in the sauce later. - Sauté the vegetables
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli, carrots, onions, and bell peppers. Sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add the zucchini, peas, and cherry tomatoes. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, just until the veggies are tender-crisp. Remove from the pan and set aside. - Make the creamy sauce
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the flour and cook for another 2 minutes, whisking constantly. - Add the liquids
Slowly pour in the sauce mixture (chicken broth, half and half, seasonings, soy sauce, and hot sauce), stirring continuously. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover partially and let it thicken while you finish the pasta. - Bring it all together
Lower the heat and gradually stir in the parmesan cheese until smooth. Add the lemon juice for a final burst of freshness. Toss in the cooked pasta and mix well. Add the sautéed vegetables back to the pan and stir everything together. - Serve and enjoy
Remove from heat, top with freshly cracked black pepper, and serve with extra parmesan and lemon wedges.
Notes
How to serve pasta primavera beautifully
Serve this dish in a large pasta bowl, topped with extra parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like basil or parsley. A few lemon slices on the side make it look extra inviting. If you’re hosting, pair it with warm garlic bread and a fresh green salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: dinner