QUICK LEMONY GREEN VEGETABLE PASTA

Do you need a quick dinner fix and yet keep it healthy! Then try out this healthy lemony pasta with broccoli, asparagus and peas that takes less than 20 mins to cook. This delicious lemony, saucy pasta with a hint of spice will make you crave for more. Good lunch box option too!

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

• 350 gms fusilli / penne pasta

• 500 - 600 gms broccoli cut to small florets

• 200 gms fine asparagus cut to 1’’ length

• 150 gms frozen garden peas

• 20 gms fresh basil leaves chopped

• 100 - 150 gms cheddar cheese

For Pasta sauce:

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 40 gms parmesan cheese finely grated

• 3 garlic cloves minced

• 1 tsp mixed dried herbs (Basil, oregano, thyme)

• 1/2 to 3/4 tsp red chilli flakes

• 1 tsp sugar or honey

• 3/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp pepper

• 1/2 cup pasta water
  

METHOD:

1. Place pasta sauce ingredients in a jar with lid

2. Take enough water to boil pasta in a skillet. Add 2 tsp salt to it. When the water starts boiling add pasta and let it cook almost till al dente

3. Add broccoli florets, asparagus and garden peas for last 2 mins of pasta cooking to be done

4. Scoop out 1 to 1 1/2 cup of pasta water and set aside, drain rest of the water pasta

5. Add 1/2 cup of pasta water to the jar of pasta sauce, cover lid and shake well to mix, pour over pasta

6. Add cheddar cheese and fresh basil leaves, stir vigorously until everything mixes well. add remaining pasta water if you need it to be more saucy.

7. Serve immediately with more parmesan or cheddar cheese on top

Note:

You can skip asparagus and peas if you have only broccoli. Increase the quantity of broccoli if you want more veggie.