Grab what you need for this Pasta Verde with Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette and share with me in the experience of this fast and fresh spring-inspired dish. You’ll be glad you did!
I literally ran through the produce section grabbing as many green things as I could that would fit in my hand basket as the skies were ominous and I still needed to get a jog in.
Don’t you just love recipes that give you choices? What I’ve included in this dish can easily be adapted.
That is my favorite kind of cooking, especially when I’m in a hurry.
I grabbed asparagus, green beans, basil, scallions and leeks.
I could have just as easily grabbed spinach, snap peas, mint and zucchini. I didn’t this time, but you could.
See where I’m going here…
- Versatile.
- Flexible.
- Adaptable.
I think these qualities matter in a pasta dish. Don’t you?
I’d like to tell you that the entire dish, other than the penne, is made with green ingredients, but I’d be lying. I’ve included lemon and crumbled feta in my vinaigrette. They add a bright and tangy flavor that I couldn’t resist.
And again…I could have used parsley rather than basil and ricotta salata rather than feta. (Never gets old!)
Okay…here’s another. You can serve this warm, room temperature or cold.
It’s wonderful as a main dish but just as spectacular as a cold salad.
And with all the picnics and barbecues coming up – this is sure to please any hungry crowd.
Even the pickiest of eaters will find nothing wrong with this dish…
- Begin by heating the green beans in olive oil in a sauté pan then add the sliced leek and chopped garlic to the same pan.
- Cook until the leeks and garlic just begin to soften.
- Roast the asparagus with a glug or two of olive oil and a sprinkle of kosher salt and black pepper for about ten minutes or until fork tender.
- While the asparagus is roasting, boil the pasta until al dente, about 10 minutes.
- Lastly, combine the fresh vegetable flavors of spring with your penne and vinaigrette and you’ve got yourself a meal.
It’s time to eat!
Buon Appetito!
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Pasta Verde with Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette
- Category: Dinner
Description
Grab what you need for this Pasta Verde with Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette and share with me in the experience of this fast and fresh spring-inspired dish.
Ingredients
- Pasta
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
- 9 oz. fresh green beans, trimmed and cut in bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup sliced leeks
- 1 heaping Tbsp. chopped garlic
- 12 oz. asparagus, trimmed
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 8 oz. dry penne pasta
- 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Vinaigrette
- 5 Tbsp. olive oil
- 5 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and ready a pot of water on the stove for the pasta.
- In a large sauté pan, over medium heat, heat 1 Tbsp. oil and add the green beans. Heat through, 2 – 3 minutes.
- Add the leek and garlic and cook until they begin to soften. Remove from heat and set aside.
- On a baking sheet, toss asparagus with 2 Tbsp. oil, salt and pepper.
- Roast asparagus in oven until fork-tender, about 10 minutes.
- Cook penne in boiling water for 10 – 11 minutes, drain.
- In a large bowl, combine the penne with asparagus and bean mixture.
- For the vinaigrette, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, basil, and salt.
- Add feta and stir until just combined, then season with more salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss vinaigrette with pasta mixture, add more fresh basil to the dish before serving.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Ciao!
Can’t believe I’ve only just checked out your blog after following you on instagram for some time. This recipe looks divine – so vibrant and fresh. I bet it tastes wonderfully summery. The pictures are so gorgeous too!
So happy you checked out my blog! Funny thing is I love your instagram page, as well, and now I’m wondering why it’s taken me so long to visit your blog… I’m on my way now. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words!
Drooling over this pasta! I can’t think of anything that sounds better right now :). I love that you can serve it cold, room temperature, or warm!
Thanks so much, Annie!
Oh god! I am Loving this bright and beautiful pasta bowl! Looks so divine — YUM!
Thank you, dear! 🙂
Oh my goodness! This pasta is sooo perfect for the asparagus kick I have been on! Love all the fresh flavors and the lemon basil vinaigrette with this? Yes!!! Drooling, pinning, making! 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend, my dear!
I’m on that same asparagus kick!! Thanks, my dear! Enjoy!
I am definitely verde with envy right now!!! I sooo want a huge bowl of this right now – what a perfect dish. I’m totally obsessed with this beautiful recipe, it looks so delicious and fresh! Love the sound of the vinaigrette too, mmmm!
Hahah! Thank you, Harriet! I appreciate your stopping by with a kind word! 🙂
Annie, I want to dive in head first into this!!!! LOVE this pasta!!! and I’m going to enjoy asparagus for as long as I can before the season is over!!! love!!!
I am with you, Alice! We’ll dive in together! Thanks, friend!!
I love all the green things in this pasta dish! That looks like the perfect spring-time supper!
Thanks, Stacey! 🙂
I have to confess that I’m un poquito verde!! hahaha. What a beautiful meal. Love the colors and freshness. Pinning
Hahah!! Well, we are tied, my friend! I’m un poquito verde over those beautiful macaroons you’ve shared today!! 🙂 Thanks, dear!
Such a gorgeous pasta dish for Spring! Pinned!
Thanks so much, my friend! Have a lovely weekend!
What a great weeknight dish! I’m a sucker for easy recipes since I’ve been all over the place lately and been having cereal for dinner! lol
It’s a super dish for weeknights! And just when you’ve had enough Rice Krispies, this will work! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Well you were right…I’m totally jealous. This looks amazing! I love all those greens! My hubby and I have become obsessed with pasta salads and such and this would fit right into our menu plans! Pinned!!
‘Tis the season for salads…and pasta salads, all the better! So happy you like! Enjoy, my friend!
I am totally jealous that you are already eating this! I must make some!
Don’t waste another minute dreaming, Shelby! Go…go get your stuff! You’ll be happy you did! 🙂
Haha I’m totally loving all the green in this gorgeous pasta! Looks so delicious and fresh and the lemon basil vinaigrette sounds fantastic! This is the perfect light dish for spring and summer!
Gotta go green! Am I right? I think you’ll like this, Kelly! Thanks, friend!
Girl, I’m totally verde with envy! I’m loving flexibility of this pasta. Yay that Nick is home! How did the lacrosse go?
Yeah…this is a yummy one! So happy Nick’s home for the summer! Woot! Well, they came away a few goals short but it was a fantastic experience for the boys(!) and their families!! Thanks, friend!
I’m glad everyone had a great time!
Thank you, Rachelle!
Such a beautiful salad, Annie! I just love all of those greens! I can just picture your grocery basket cascading with glorious fresh veggies! And the lemon vinaigrette – a perfect pairing!
Thank you, Kathleen! This was a fun one, from start to finish! Have a lovely weekend, my friend!
This is a delightful pasta recipe, Annie! And all that green is so vibrant and mesmerizing… it just shouts Spring! Love your method of running through the store grabbin up the green! hehe! I think Asparagus is one of my favorite spring veggies… it cooks up in no time and pairs so perfectly with pasta! Thank you for this, my dear!
Thank you, friend! Oh yes…I was on a mission! I love asparagus, too! It screams spring! That’s the best! 🙂
I love anything verde and of course pasta! Looks so fresh and delicious! So light, too! Need to try it! Have a nice weekend Annie!
Verde is where it’s at! Thanks, Mira! Happy weekend!
Verde with envy may be my new favorite phrase. This looks delicious and I LOVE the feta in the vinaigrette!
Hahhaha! I couldn’t resist! Oh yesss, the feta is a great addition! Thanks, friend!
this pasta dish looks fabulous! Love that tangy vinaigrette and love how versatile it is 🙂 pinning!
Who doesn’t need that in their life? Versatility? I love how creative you can get with pasta…one of my favorite things to do! Thanks, dear!
Pasta is one of my favorite meals, so I’m loving this, Annie! That lemon basil vinaigrette sounds fantastic! I love the light and fresh flavors. So perfect for when you don’t want something too heavy!
I’m with you…this lemony vinaigrette is a nice light option when you don’t want anything too heavy! Thanks, friend!