In this Pasta Primavera recipe, I swap the heavy cream for a lighter lemony sauce that lets the colorful seasonal vegetables shine. This vegetarian pasta is easy, healthy, and very weeknight-friendly—it’s ready in 40 minutes!
An Easy 40-Minute Roasted Vegetable Pasta Primavera
When spring rolls around, and the markets are bursting with fresh produce, this easy Sheet Pan Pasta Primavera is on constant rotation in my kitchen. I simply toss the veggies with olive oil and herbs and roast until they’re just tender, sweet, and a little bit crisped at the edges.
Why roast the vegetables on a sheet pan? Most pasta primavera recipes ask you to stand over a hot stove and sauté your veggies. I prefer to take the easier, more flavorful route! By roasting zucchini, bell peppers, carrots, and squash at a high heat, we bring out a deep, caramelized sweetness that boiling or sautéing just can’t match. Plus, it means hands-off cooking and minimal cleanup for busy weeknights!
Whether you stick to my year-round veggie lineup or swap in classic spring vegetables like fresh asparagus and snap peas (see my variations below!), this healthy pasta primavera is the perfect 40-minute weeknight dinner no matter the season!
While the pasta boils to the perfect al dente texture and the veggies roast, make a simple lettuce salad and grab a hunk of crusty bread.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The ultimate flexible weeknight meal. Swap in what you have on hand.
- Light, bright, and full of flavor.
- Easy! Roasting the veggies on a sheet pan makes this recipe mostly hands-off!
Pasta Primavera Ingredients
Pasta primavera comes from the Italian word for “spring.” Traditionally, the Italian-American dish was used to make the most of a garden bursting with spring veggies. But I love it year-round with whatever seasonal vegetables I have on hand. Feel free to substitute with what you have on hand and what is in season.
- Fresh veggies: Zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, bell peppers, red onion, and grape tomatoes.
- Flavor-makers: Garlic, dried oregano, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper, and fresh lemon zest.
- Pasta: A short pasta is best for making sure everything is bite-sized. I used farfalle, but rigatoni or any short pasta you like would also work well.
- Oil: Use a full flavor yet smooth extra virgin olive oil. I love our buttery Italian Nocellara.
- Parmesan: Adds a savory-salty-nutty quality. Feel free to skip this part if you’d like a vegan or dairy-free primavera.
How to Make Pasta Primavera
To make this pasta primavera recipe, grab a pot, sheet pan, knife, grater, peeler, cutting board, and a bowl. I prefer to use penne or farfalle (bow tie pasta), so everything is about the same size and each bite has a small taste of everything.
- Get ready. Preheat your oven to 450°F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then season generously with kosher salt.
- While your oven heats, grab a large bowl to add the prepared veggies as you go. Slice the zucchini, yellow squash, and onion into half moons. Peel and cut the carrots into short sticks. Slice the bell peppers into strips. Mince the garlic.
- Season the vegetables. Add 1 tablespoon of dried oregano and 1 1/2 teaspoons of fresh thyme leaves. Season with a big pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Drizzle enough extra virgin olive oil to coat the veggies (about 3 tablespoons). Toss to coat.
- Roast the veggies. Spread the vegetables on a large sheet pan so they’re in one layer. (You may need to use two pans.) Roast on the middle rack for 10 minutes. Give them a good stir, spread them out again, and continue to roast until they’re tender and starting to brown at the edges, about 10 minutes more.
- Boil the pasta. While the vegetables roast, cook 12 ounces of pasta according to the package (about 10 to 12 minutes). Reserve one cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain. Halve the grape tomatoes and zest the lemon. Grate the parmesan.
- Finish the pasta. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl. Add the roasted vegetables, tomatoes, and lemon zest. Add a splash of the pasta cooking water and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If you’d like, add a sprinkle more of oregano and fresh thyme.
- Serve. Divide among shallow serving bowls and sprinkle on the parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Spring Vegetable Variation
I have my own take on pasta primavera, but it’s such a flexible recipe that you can swap in almost anything. For a spring vegetable variation, swap out the carrots, squash, and peppers for seasonal spring vegetables like asparagus, peas (sugar snap peas or English peas), and spinach.
If you opt for the spring veggie version, skip the sheet pan and opt for a 10-minute sauté in a skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil.
Getting Ahead, Leftovers, and Storage
To get ahead on your pasta primavera, chop all of the vegetables the night before. Add them to a large bowl, cover, and store them in your refrigerator. Simply add the oils and seasonings and roast the next day.
If you have leftovers, allow them to cool completely. Store, covered in your refrigerator, for up to 4 days. To reheat, add the pasta primavera to a saucepan on medium heat on the stovetop. Add a small amount of water and cook until warmed through. Or, serve at room temperature pasta salad-style. You can even dress it up a little with fresh greens like arugula or spinach, a big squeeze of lemon, and a drizzle of olive oil.
What to Serve with Pasta Primavera
This pasta primavera recipe is satisfying and nutritious enough to stand alone. You can happily stop there, but if you’d like extra protein, try our grilled garlic-parmesan shrimp or grilled chicken breast.
A crunchy side salad also goes well with the silky roast vegetables. Try lemon parmesan lettuce salad or panzanella to keep the Italian flavor party going.
Easy Pasta Primavera Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 zucchini, sliced into half moons
- 2 yellow squash, sliced into half moons
- 2 to 3 carrots, peeled and cut into short sticks
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 yellow or orange bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 red onion, sliced into half moons
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano, plus more for garnish
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, plus more for garnish
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 12 ounces short pasta of your choice (I like farfalle)
- 8 ounces grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 large lemon, zested
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
Instructions
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Get ready. Preheat your oven to 450°F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then season generously with kosher salt.
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Season the vegetables. Place the zucchini, squash, carrots, bell peppers, and onion in a large mixing bowl (save the tomatoes for later). Add the garlic, oregano, and thyme. Season with a big pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Drizzle enough extra virgin olive oil to coat the veggies (about 3 tablespoons). Toss to coat.
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Roast the veggies. Spread the vegetables on a large sheet pan so they’re in one layer (you may need to use two pans). Roast on the middle rack for 10 minutes. Give them a good stir, spread them out again, and continue to roast until they’re tender and starting to brown at the edges, about 10 minutes more.
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Boil the pasta. While the vegetables roast, cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to the package (about 10 to 12 minutes). Just before it’s cooked to your liking, reserve one cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain.
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Finish the pasta. Transfer pasta to a large bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. If you’d like, add a sprinkle more of oregano and fresh thyme. Add the roast vegetables, tomatoes, and lemon zest. Add a splash of the pasta cooking water and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Toss to combine.
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Notes
- Leftovers: Allow the pasta to cool completely, then cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Other vegetable options: Change up the vegetables according to what you have on hand. Broccoli, green beans, and asparagus will also work in this recipe.
- Add protein: Cut up some of this quick lemon chicken or grilled chicken and toss in the pasta. Or make this grilled shrimp (remove the shrimp from the skewers and toss in the pasta).
- Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils, honey, jams, and spices.
Nutrition
*This post originally appeared on The Mediterranean Dish in 2016 and has been updated in 2026 with new information and media for readers’ benefit.
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