Lemon Asparagus Spring Pasta – Kath Eats Actual Meals

This Lemon Asparagus Spring Pasta makes an ideal spring dinner to focus on my favourite vegetable this time of yr: asparagus!

Completely satisfied Spring Dinner

We’re absolutely embracing spring at the moment with this seasonal, gentle pasta that includes the season’s most well-known vegetable: asparagus.

It’s one in every of my favorites, and it’s one which Mazen will eat too.

Are you aware why? “As a result of it makes your tinkle odor.” Sorry to deliver up potty discuss on the dinner desk, however that’s my life proper now. Mazen thinks something gross is hi-larious, and if it makes him a more healthy eater, then so be it.

Lemon Asparagus Spring Pasta

This pasta recipe received’t weigh you down winter-style. It’s gentle and straightforward pasta dish that comes collectively in beneath half-hour. (Is there every other type of recipe?) You should use any pasta you will have available, however contemporary pasta will make it additional particular. (We get ours from Mona Lisa Pasta right here in Cville.) 

Substances

Right here’s the lemon asparagus pasta ingredient lineup:

• contemporary asparagus
• pancetta (you possibly can sub in bacon)
• contemporary pasta
• contemporary lemon zest and juice
• olive oil
• pasta water (non-obligatory blended with white wine or cream)
• freshly grated parmesan cheese
• black pepper

To change this recipe for different dietary preferences, you may make this sauce with dietary yeast, utilizing vegan pasta, and leaving out the pancetta (or utilizing a bacon tempeh!) 

Directions

Prep the asparagus + garlic

Snap or chop off the underside inch or so of the asparagus. Reduce the remainder of the stalks of asparagus into 2-3-inch items. Mince the garlic finely or ship by way of your garlic press.

Prepare dinner the pancetta

Prepare dinner the bacon or pancetta in a big saucepan over medium excessive warmth. When it’s achieved (cautious to not let it burn!), take away with a slotted spoon and let drain on a paper towel lined plate. Take away the grease from the pan, leaving only a couple teaspoons.

Saute asparagus and garlic

In the identical saucepan, cut back the warmth to low and add the asparagus. Saute for five minutes, till virtually tender. Add the garlic and cook dinner till aromatic, 3-4 minutes, being cautious to not burn the garlic.

Prepare dinner the pasta

Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook dinner based on directions. If utilizing contemporary pasta, it ought to solely take 2-3 minutes for al dente.

Make the sauce

When the pasta is prepared, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water to make use of for the sauce, then drain the remaining. Add the pasta to the big saucepan. Add within the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and black pepper, stirring or tossing to mix. Lastly, add in ½ cup of the pasta water, stirring till a pleasant gentle sauce varieties. If the pasta appears to be like dry, add a couple of extra splashes of the pasta water or use a pleasant white wine for additional taste. If you happen to want a creamier sauce, you possibly can sub in among the quantity of starchy water for heavy cream. 

Toss and garnish

Lastly, to the cooked pasta toss within the pancetta, asparagus, lemon zest and cheese to complete! Sprinkle with extra parmesan on high to serve. A couple of pink pepper flakes make an important garnish too. 

 Dive in!

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