Best 16 Lemony Asparagus Pasta Recipes

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Asparagus, a vibrant green spring vegetable, pairs perfectly with the bright, citrusy flavor of lemon. Combined with the richness of Parmesan cheese and the comforting texture of pasta, these elements create a dish that is both satisfying and refreshing. With a variety of recipes to choose from, you can create a lemony asparagus pasta dish that suits your taste and skill level. Whether you prefer a simple sautéed asparagus with lemon and butter sauce or a more complex dish with roasted asparagus, fresh herbs, and a creamy lemon sauce, you're sure to find a recipe that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.

Here are our top 16 tried and tested recipes!

LEMON ASPARAGUS PASTA



Lemon Asparagus Pasta image

This lemon asparagus pasta is not only super delicious but also very easy to make. It's basically a one pot recipe. And it's just the perfect recipe to embrace spring!

Provided by Sina

Categories     Entrée

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup canned coconut milk (full fat)
9 oz gemelli pasta
juice of one small lemon
2 teaspoons lemon zest
17 oz fresh green asparagus
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)

Steps:

  • Cut off the woody ends of the green asparagus and cut it into 2 inch pieces. Pan-fry it. You can either do this in the same pot before cooking the pasta and set them aside if you want to make a real one pot recipe. Or if you don't mind getting another pan dirty, you can also do this while the pasta is cooking. Just add some oil in a non-sticky pot or a pan and cook the asparagus for about 5-8 minutes depending on how thick they are.
  • In a large pot, heat some oil and sauté the onion for 3 minutes until it becomes translucent. Then add the garlic and cook for another minute.
  • Add the uncoooked pasta, the vegetable broth, the coconut milk, and the lemon juice. Cook for 15-18 minutes. Stir a couple of times while cooking.
  • When the pasta is al dente, stir in the lemon zest and the cooked asparagus. Cook for 2 more minutes and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 539 kcal, Carbohydrate 70 g, Protein 17 g, Fat 25 g, SaturatedFat 17 g, Sodium 2579 mg, Fiber 10 g, Sugar 17 g, UnsaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 serving

THE BEST ASPARAGUS LEMON PASTA



The Best Asparagus Lemon Pasta image

I came across this at Epicurious and fell in love, and its been elsewhere. Years of looking for the lemon pasta I remembered as a child, and finally found it. Tweaked it a little to my own taste, replacing parsley with fresh basil and using linguine. If you don't have tender asparagus, the europes best frozen ones are far better than woody fresh ones. Do NOT substitute lighter creams, it just does not work that well.

Provided by MarraMamba

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 lb asparagus
1 lb linguine
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons lemon zest, freshly grated (from about 3 lemons)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup basil, finely chopped fresh leaves
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Steps:

  • Cut the asparagus into 1/2 inch slices on the diagonal, or just into 3 pieces.
  • In a steamer set over boiling water steam asparagus, covered, until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. set aside.
  • In a 6-quart kettle bring 5 quarts salted water to a boil for pasta.
  • In a deep 12-inch skillet heat butter and cream over moderately low heat until butter is melted and stir in zest, lemon juice, and salt. Remove skillet from heat and keep sauce warm, covered.
  • Add pasta to boiling water and boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Ladle 1/4 cup pasta water into sauce and drain pasta in colander.
  • Immediately add pasta and asparagus to sauce and cook over moderate heat, tossing, 1 minute, or until heated through. Add basil and salt and pepper to taste and toss well.
  • Sprinkle pasta with a little Parmesan and serve more Parmesan on the side.

LEMON ASPARAGUS PASTA



Lemon Asparagus Pasta image

Bright lemony flavor. Easy to make and can sit out during warm weather. Can be served hot, warm, or cold.

Provided by Chop Suey

Categories     Side Dish

Time 30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1 large lemon, zested and juiced
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup olive oil
salt to taste
freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in penne and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes. Penne will still be slightly firm.
  • Stir asparagus into the pot with the boiling penne pasta and bring back to a boil; cook until pasta is tender and asparagus is softened but still bright green, about 3 more minutes. Drain pasta and asparagus.
  • Place penne and asparagus into a large bowl; lightly stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly combined.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 377.6 calories, Carbohydrate 45 g, Cholesterol 8.8 mg, Fat 17.8 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 12.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.9 g, Sodium 157.7 mg, Sugar 3 g

CREAMY ASPARAGUS PASTA



Creamy Asparagus Pasta image

Lemon zest ties all the flavors together in this light and creamy pasta. Make it a meal: Serve with a salad of sliced fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes tossed with a little fresh basil, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Provided by EatingWell Test Kitchen

Categories     Healthy Penne Recipes

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 ounces whole-wheat penne pasta
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 ½ cups whole milk
4 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
4 teaspoons flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons lemon juice
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 3 minutes less than the package directions. Add asparagus and continue cooking until the pasta and asparagus are just tender, 3 minutes more. Drain and return to the pot.
  • Meanwhile, whisk milk, mustard, flour, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant and lightly browned, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Whisk in the milk mixture. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, and cook until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tarragon, lemon zest and juice.
  • Stir the sauce into the pasta-asparagus mixture. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until the sauce is thick, creamy and coats the pasta, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan. Divide the pasta among 4 bowls and top with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 358.9 calories, Carbohydrate 56.1 g, Cholesterol 17.8 mg, Fat 9.6 g, Fiber 6.7 g, Protein 17.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 631.8 mg, Sugar 7.4 g

ASPARAGUS LEMON PASTA SALAD



Asparagus Lemon Pasta Salad image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 pound penne
1/4 cup and 1 teaspoon olive oil
1 bunch asparagus
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons lemon juice
Grated rind of 1 lemon
Salt
Pepper
1 jarred red pepper, diced
2 tablespoons pine nuts

Steps:

  • Prepare penne according to package directions. Once cooked, toss with 1 teaspoon olive oil and chill. Cut off 1 - 2 inches of the base of asparagus and discard. Slice asparagus into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Simmer in skillet with water until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain asparagus and plunge into a bowl of ice water. This will help maintain the bright green color and stop the asparagus from cooking further. Toast pine nuts in oven until golden. In small bowl squeeze juice from lemon and grate the rind to create lemon zest. In large bowl whisk together lemon and rind, salt, pepper and remaining olive oil. Add asparagus, drained red pepper, pine nuts and pasta. Serve.

PASTA ALFREDO WITH LEMON AND ASPARAGUS



Pasta Alfredo with Lemon and Asparagus image

This simple one-pot pasta features fresh asparagus and is as lovely to look at as it is delicious to eat. Serve smaller portions of this creamy pasta as a first course, or make it a luxurious main dish.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Quick & Easy Recipes

Time 35m

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 large egg yolks
1 cup heavy cream
2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated (1 1/4 cups), plus more for serving
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest, plus more for serving (optional), and 1 tablespoon fresh juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
12 ounces linguine
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut on the diagonal into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)

Steps:

  • In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks, cream, cheese, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper to combine.
  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta 2 minutes less than per package instructions. Add asparagus; cook until bright green and tender, about 2 minutes more. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain.
  • Return pasta and asparagus to pot along with egg mixture. Toss until well combined, adding a few tablespoons of pasta water at a time until sauce coats pasta. Add lemon juice; season to taste. Serve immediately, with more cheese, pepper, and lemon zest.

LEMONY ORZO WITH ASPARAGUS AND GARLIC BREAD CRUMBS



Lemony Orzo With Asparagus and Garlic Bread Crumbs image

Every spoonful of this pasta has a happy jumble of lemony orzo, grassy asparagus, garlicky bread crumbs, fresh herbs and salty Parmesan. The pasta and thinly sliced asparagus cook together in the same pot, then rest in a lemony dressing while the garlic bread crumbs are toasted, so the pasta has time to absorb as much flavor as possible.

Provided by Ali Slagle

Categories     brunch, dinner, lunch, weekday, pastas, main course

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Kosher salt and black pepper
1 cup orzo
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and thinly sliced on a diagonal (about 1/4-inch thick)
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 3 tablespoons lemon juice, plus more as needed (from about 1 large lemon)
1/2 cup panko or homemade bread crumbs
1 small garlic clove, finely grated
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
1/2 cup fresh dill, mint or parsley leaves (or any combination), torn if large

Steps:

  • Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook until al dente according to package directions. Two minutes before the orzo is done, add the asparagus. Drain the orzo and asparagus. Wipe out and reserve the pot.
  • While the orzo and asparagus cook, make the dressing: In a large bowl, stir together 3 tablespoons oil and the lemon zest and juice; season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the drained orzo and asparagus and toss to coat. Set aside while you toast the bread crumbs.
  • In the reserved pot, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add the panko and cook, stirring, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat, then stir in the garlic and season with salt and pepper.
  • Stir the Parmesan and herbs into the orzo, taste, then season with salt, pepper and additional lemon juice, if desired. Top with the toasted bread crumbs and more Parmesan if you like. Serve warm or at room temperature.

LEMONY PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS AND WHITE BEANS



Lemony Pasta With Asparagus and White Beans image

Marinating canned white beans in lemon juice and zest, along with red-pepper flakes and shallots, imbues them with brightness and a touch of heat, adding so much flavor to this warm-weather pasta. It's dead simple to make: While the pasta cooks and the beans marinate, sauté the asparagus in olive oil, then use that pan to finish the dish. There's enough asparagus in the mix to make this a one-pan meal, but serving it with a crisp green salad on the side will add a little crunch and freshness.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     dinner, noodles, pastas, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 large lemon, plus more fresh lemon juice for serving
1 (15-ounce) can white beans, rinsed
1 shallot, finely diced, or 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion
3 garlic cloves (2 thinly sliced, 1 finely grated)
1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, plus more to taste
Kosher salt
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound short pasta, such as campanelle, fusilli or farfalle
2 bunches asparagus (about 2 pounds), ends trimmed, stalks sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
2/3 cup coarsely chopped Italian parsley leaves
1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
Black pepper

Steps:

  • Grate the zest from the lemon into a small bowl. Halve the lemon and squeeze the juice from half of it on top of the zest. Add the white beans, shallot or onion, grated garlic, red-pepper flakes and a large pinch of salt and toss well. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon olive oil and set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just shy of al dente, usually 2 minutes less than the package directs.
  • Meanwhile, heat a 12-inch sauté pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil, then add the asparagus. Sauté until the asparagus is tender and starting to brown at the edges, 7 to 10 minutes. Add a big pinch of salt and the sliced garlic and sauté until the garlic is lightly golden, 1 to 2 minutes longer.
  • Dip a coffee mug or glass measuring cup into the pasta water and scoop out about 1/2 cup of it to use for the sauce. Drain pasta, shaking it well. Add pasta, bean mixture, parsley and Parmesan to sauté pan and cook until the beans are hot and the pasta is al dente. If the mixture looks dry, splash in some (or all) of the reserved pasta water. Squeeze remaining lemon half over pasta, toss and taste. Season with pepper; add more salt, red-pepper flakes and lemon juice, if desired.

PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS AND LEMON SAUCE



Pasta with Asparagus and Lemon Sauce image

A quick midweek vegetarian pasta dish with asparagus and a creamy lemon sauce. I always use organic lemons whenever I use the zest.

Provided by barbara

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 lemons
1 (16 ounce) box penne pasta
5 tablespoons butter, divided
¾ pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
¾ cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups vegetable broth, or more to taste
4 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped
1 pinch white sugar, or to taste
2 ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
½ cup freshly shaved Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Zest and juice 1 1/2 lemons. Cut remaining lemon half into wedges and set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of cooking water.
  • While penne is cooking, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a pot over medium heat and cook asparagus until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and remove from pot.
  • Add remaining 3 tablespoons butter and heat until a pinch of flour sprinkled into the pot will just begin to bubble. Whisk in flour to form a thick paste the consistency of cake frosting. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, for about 5 minutes. Whisk in cream and vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Stir lemon juice, lemon zest, and parsley into the sauce; season with salt, pepper, and sugar. Add asparagus and heat through, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and penne to the sauce and pour in some of the reserved cooking water. Serve with shaved Parmesan and lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 810.8 calories, Carbohydrate 103.8 g, Cholesterol 108.1 mg, Fat 37.2 g, Fiber 10.5 g, Protein 24.8 g, SaturatedFat 21.8 g, Sodium 512 mg, Sugar 9 g

LEMON PEPPER PASTA AND ASPARAGUS



Lemon Pepper Pasta and Asparagus image

Serve a 30-minute weeknight pasta meal, vegetarian style.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 25m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups uncooked farfalle (bow-tie) pasta (4 oz)
1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
1 lb asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 can (15 oz) Progresso™ cannellini beans or 1 can (15 to 16 oz) navy beans, drained, rinsed
Freshly ground pepper, if desired

Steps:

  • Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
  • Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook bell pepper, asparagus, lemon peel, salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in oil, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender.
  • Stir lemon juice and beans into vegetable mixture. Cook until beans are hot. Add pasta; toss. Sprinkle with pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 400, Carbohydrate 52 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 9 g, Protein 15 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 420 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 0 g

ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD WITH A CREAMY LEMON DRESSING



Asparagus Pasta Salad With a Creamy Lemon Dressing image

A nice twist on asparagus and pasta salad. A quick easy dish with a light lemony, tangy sauce, but very fast. Pair this along a grilled piece of fish or chicken breast and this makes this a very nice easy dinner.

Provided by SarasotaCook

Categories     Penne

Time 35m

Yield 6 , 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

10 ounces penne pasta
2 lbs asparagus (ends removed and cut in 2-inch pieces on a angle)
1/2 cup scallion, cut on a angle in 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated (I like sharp cheddar)
1 tablespoon kosher salt (to cook the pasta in)
1/2 lemon, thin sliced
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
4 tablespoons chicken broth
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt, the dish (to season)

Steps:

  • Dressing -- mix all the ingredients and set to the side until the pasta and asparagus are cooked.
  • Salad -- In a large pot of salted water, boil the pasta according to directions. Approximately 3 minutes before the pasta is done, add the asparagus until is comes out al dente. Now drain the pasta and asparagus. Rinse under cold water for just a few seconds to stop the cooking process and cool slightly.
  • Combine -- Now toss the still slightly warm pasta with the dressing. Add in the scallions, extra salt and pepper and serve garnished with the cheese fresh lemon slices. A nice simple salad!
  • Now this is a very light tasting salad with a very simple dressing. It doesn't have bold flavors, but subtle flavors which is a nice compliment to a fresh herb roasted chicken breast or piece of fish. This is all about fresh subtle flavors.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 289.8, Fat 7.9, SaturatedFat 2.7, Cholesterol 12.4, Sodium 1664.2, Carbohydrate 48.5, Fiber 8.8, Sugar 3.1, Protein 10.2

ASPARAGUS LEMON PASTA



Asparagus Lemon Pasta image

Categories     Milk/Cream     Pasta     Steam     Vegetarian     Lemon     Asparagus     Spring     Boil     Gourmet

Yield Serves 4 as an entrée

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 1/2 pounds asparagus, trimmed and cut diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1 pound bow-tie pasta
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest (from about 3 lemons)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
Accompaniment: freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a steamer set over boiling water steam asparagus, covered, until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain asparagus well.
  • In a 6-quart kettle bring 5 quarts salted water to a boil for pasta.
  • In a deep 12-inch skillet heat butter and cream over moderately low heat until butter is melted and stir in zest, lemon juice, and salt. Remove skillet from heat and keep sauce warm, covered.
  • Add pasta to boiling water and boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Ladle 1/4 cup pasta water into sauce and drain pasta in colander.
  • Immediately add pasta and asparagus to sauce and cook over moderate heat, tossing, 1 minute, or until heated through. Add parsley and salt and pepper to taste and toss well.
  • Sprinkle pasta with a little Parmesan and serve more Parmesan on the side.

LEMONY ASPARAGUS PASTA



Lemony Asparagus Pasta image

A Creamy Lemon and Asparagus Pasta. Perfect for summer days.

Provided by jordangenevieve

Time 30m

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

400g linguine or fettuccine
340g asparagus, sliced with a vegetable peeler
1 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup chicken stock
sea salt and black pepper
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus extra to serve
3/4 cup basil leaves

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of salted boiling water. Add the asparagus for the last 2 minutes of cooking time. Drain and return the pasta to the pan to keep warm.
  • Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the oil and garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the sour cream, lemon juice, stock, salt and pepper and mix well to combine. Take off the heat.
  • Add the pasta and asparagus to the pan with the Parmesan and basil leaves. Mix to combine.
  • Top the pasta with the extra Parmesan and serve.

ASPARAGUS & LEMON SPAGHETTI WITH PEAS



Asparagus & lemon spaghetti with peas image

This healthy, vegan pasta dish is ready in under 20 minutes. It's low calorie and provides 3 of your 5-a-day along with fibre, vitamin C and iron.

Provided by Sara Buenfeld

Categories     Dinner, Lunch, Main course, Pasta, Supper

Time 19m

Number Of Ingredients 8

150g wholemeal spaghetti
160g asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into lengths
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
2 leeks (220g), cut into lengths, then thin strips
1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely grated
160g frozen peas
1 lemon, zested and juiced, plus wedges to serve

Steps:

  • Boil the spaghetti for 12 mins until al dente, adding the asparagus for the last 3 mins. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan, add the leeks and chilli and cook for 5 mins. Stir in the garlic, peas and lemon zest and juice and cook for a few mins more.
  • Drain and add the pasta to the pan with ¼ mug of the pasta water and toss everything together until well mixed. Spoon into shallow bowls and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over, if you like.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 481 calories, Fat 15 grams fat, SaturatedFat 1 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 60 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 8 grams sugar, Fiber 17 grams fiber, Protein 19 grams protein, Sodium 0.04 milligram of sodium

PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS-LEMON SAUCE



Pasta with Asparagus-Lemon Sauce image

Provided by Faith Heller Willinger

Categories     Citrus     Pasta     Quick & Easy     Parmesan     Asparagus     Spring     Gourmet

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 lb fresh asparagus, tough ends trimmed
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 lb penne or pasta of choice
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Steps:

  • Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces, reserving tips separately. Cook asparagus stems in 5 to 6 quarts boiling water with 2 tablespoons salt until very tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a colander, reserving cooking water in pot, and rinse under cold water. Drain asparagus well and transfer to a food processor or blender.
  • Cook asparagus tips in same boiling water until just tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer with slotted spoon to colander, reserving boiling water in pot, and rinse under cold water. Drain tips well.
  • Purée asparagus stems with zest, oil, and 1/2 cup asparagus cooking water. Transfer sauce to a 4-quart saucepan.
  • Cook pasta in boiling asparagus cooking water until it still offers considerable resistance to the tooth, around three fourths of the recommended cooking time. Reserve 2 cups cooking water and drain pasta.
  • Add pasta, asparagus tips, and 1/2 cup reserved water to asparagus sauce and cook over high heat, stirring, 3 to 5 minutes, or until pasta is almost al dente and sauce coats pasta. Add more cooking water, 1/4 cup at a time, until sauce coats pasta but is a little loose (the cheese will thicken it slightly).
  • Stir in Parmigiano-Reggiano and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring, until cheese is melted.
  • Serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS LEMON PASTA



Asparagus Lemon Pasta image

"This is a wonderful side dish alongside grilled meats," shares Donna Lascher of Sun Lakes, Arizona. Summery asparagus and citrus star in the refreshing accompaniment that's ready to serve in no time flat.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 25m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups uncooked penne pasta
1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
6 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
4-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons Beau Monde seasoning
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions, adding asparagus during the last 6 minutes; drain and rinse in cold water. Transfer to a large serving bowl. , In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the remaining ingredients; shake well. Pour over pasta mixture and toss to coat. Serve or refrigerate.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 164 calories, Fat 11g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 155mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh asparagus. If you can't find fresh asparagus, you can use frozen asparagus. Just be sure to thaw it completely before using it.
  • Don't overcook the asparagus. It should be tender but still have a slight crunch to it.
  • Use a good quality olive oil. This will help to enhance the flavor of the dish.
  • Add some lemon zest to the pasta for a brighter flavor.
  • If you don't have white wine, you can use chicken broth or vegetable broth.
  • Serve the pasta immediately topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Conclusion:

This lemony asparagus pasta is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. The bright lemon flavor and tender asparagus make this pasta a refreshing and flavorful dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy pasta dish, give this lemony asparagus pasta a try.

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