Description
This asparagus pasta dish is fresh, vibrant, and bursting with flavor. A perfect quick meal that combines the sweetness of asparagus with a creamy basil sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces pasta (any shape)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (grated)
- 1½ pounds asparagus (fresh or frozen)
- ¾ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup grated parmesan (or more to taste)
- ½ cup fresh basil (or 3 sprigs fresh thyme)
- ½ lemon (juice and zest)
Instructions
- Cut off and discard the woody end of the asparagus (about 1 inch or 2 cm). Cut the spears into discs and leave the tips whole.
- In a large skillet, sauté the chopped onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil for 3 minutes.
- Add the grated garlic, asparagus discs, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, and cook for 5 minutes or until the asparagus are bright green and fork-tender. Add 1 cup of water after 1 minute.
- In a food processor, add half of the cooked asparagus, ½ cup fresh basil, ½ cup grated parmesan, the juice of ½ lemon, and 2 tablespoons of water, and blend until creamy.
- Cook the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water as per package instructions.
- Add the sauce back to the skillet with the remaining asparagus, add the cooked pasta, and ½ cup of reserved pasta water. Mix until creamy, adding more reserved cooking water and parmesan if necessary. Adjust for salt before serving with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a grating of lemon zest.
Notes
- Cooking time for pasta may vary based on the type. Be sure to follow package instructions.
- This dish can be topped with additional parmesan for extra creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: pasta, asparagus, basil, vegetarian