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Creamy Spring Vegetable Penne with Fresh Mint

creamy spring vegetable penne - featured image
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A quick and easy creamy penne pasta dish featuring fresh spring vegetables and bright mint, perfect for a healthy and comforting dinner without heavy cream.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces penne pasta
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 1/2 pound), trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup fresh peas, shelled (frozen peas can be used)
  • 1/4 cup packed fresh mint, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small shallot, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of penne and cook according to package instructions (about 10-12 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, trim and cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces. Shell peas if fresh. Mince garlic and shallot.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic and cook gently for about 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
  4. Add asparagus and peas to the skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until asparagus is tender-crisp and peas are bright green. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if veggies start sticking.
  5. Lower heat and stir in softened cream cheese and vegetable broth. Mix until cream cheese melts into a smooth sauce. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until combined. Gradually add reserved pasta water until desired creaminess is reached (about 1/2 cup).
  6. Fold in chopped fresh mint and fresh lemon juice.
  7. Add drained penne to the skillet and toss gently to coat pasta with sauce and distribute vegetables evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 1-2 minutes to let flavors combine.
  8. Serve warm, optionally garnished with extra chopped mint or grated Parmesan.

Notes

Do not overcook the asparagus and peas to keep them bright and crisp. Use reserved pasta water gradually to control sauce thickness. Soften cream cheese before adding for smooth sauce. Add fresh mint at the end to preserve its brightness. Season gradually as Parmesan adds saltiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: spring vegetable pasta, creamy penne, fresh mint pasta, healthy dinner, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, spring recipe

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