Creamless Penne Pasta Primavera With Olive Oil and Garlic

Submitted by KateL

"Entered for safe-keeping. I am searching for a recipe closest to the creamless pasta primavera that used to lure me to a local restaurant (until the chef left). This version by Chef George Krumov seems very close. For non-vegetarians, make this a complete meal by adding (per person) 1 grilled chicken breast cut into 1-1/2-inch long strips or 1/4 pound cooked shelled shrimp (31-40 count/pound)."

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 16
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 4 quarts water
• 2 tablespoons sea salt or 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 lb penne pasta
• 2 cups broccoli florets, precooked
• 1 carrot, cut into 1-inch sticks, precooked
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1⁄2 cup frozen green pea, thawed
• 1⁄2 cup frozen sweet corn, thawed
• 1 cup beef broth (optional) or 1 fluid ounce dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon fresh basil, chopped
• salt, to taste
• black pepper, to taste
• grated parmesan cheese or grated grana padano, passed separately

directions

1. Bring 4 quarts of water with 2 tablespoons salt to a boil in a large pot and cook dry penne pasta to desired doneness per package directions. (Only 2.8 quarts -- 2.5 liters -- of water are required, but with the smaller amount of water, it would take longer for the water to return to a boil once the pasta is added.).
2. Meanwhile, precook broccoli florets and carrots. If boiling in water, boil for 3-5 minutes and check for doneness with fork. Otherwise, vegetables can be steamed. Once cooked, transfer vegetables to ice water to halt cooking and preserve bright color, then drain. Set aside until step 4.
3. In a large heavy skillet, heat the olive oil 1 minute or until hot and saute the onion and garlic until lightly golden, about 3 minutes.
4. Add the vegetables and saute until the peppers are soft, about 2 minutes.
5. Deglaze with the beef broth, if using, or just a splash (1 fluid ounce) of dry white wine.
6. Add the drained penne noodles and basil and season to taste.
7. Toss well and serve immediately with some freshly grated Parmesan or Grana di Padano cheese on the side.

Reviews

[cyana641]

Beware 2 tablespoons salt was way too much for my taste. Might want to tone it down on salt. Otherwise good.

 

[AZPARZYCH]

So good and a nice light/healthy summer recipe. I used whole grain penne, white carrots, added a couple sliced up white mushrooms and topped with some minced scallions. Since DH and DSs do not like the majority of the veggies in this recipe, I made 1/2 so I had enough for dinner and lunch tomorrow. This would be good with some shrimp mixed in or alongside some salmon/talapia...Made for PRMR.

 

[LifeIsGood]

Healthy and delicious. I love the variety of vegetables. The only changes I made were to use chicken broth instead of beef and I used only between one-half and three-quarters a pound of pasta (and still thought that was plenty). Thank you for posting this lovely recipe!

 

[Annacia]

When we went shopping yesterday I found a beautiful array of fresh herbs (first time this year!). Some went into this delicious pasta dish last night. This is as lovely to look at as it is to eat and it lacks nothing in flavor, texture or pure eating pleasure.

 

[Karen Elizabeth]

Very simple and very good. I used a vegetable broth rather than the beef broth, my only change. I couldn't get fresh broccoli and had to try frozen .. wouldn't be my first choice but wasnt that bad, and better than not having it! This dish pleases the eye with its bright colours, easily prepared on a weeknight, and what was left over I had for lunch today, just as nice :) Thank you Kate, another winner!