Pasta Primavera with Spinach Pesto

Craving comfort food? Don't miss out on this easy Pesto Primavera Pasta! It can be made with any combination of fresh vegetables and pasta you like. Plus you can customize it with your favorite protein. It's one of those staple meals you will make over and over again. 

I don’t know about you, but as colder weather creeps in and I break out my beloved cozy winter sweaters, I also begin to crave big bowls of pasta. It is such a treat on a cold night. However, to keep things balanced, I always like to pack my pasta dishes with veggies. 

One of the pasta dishes I crave most in the fall is pesto so I used that for inspiration for this veggie-packed Pasta Primavera with Spinach Pesto. To keep things healthy and light, I added a ton of fresh vegetables - zucchini, summer squash, mushrooms, carrots, bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes – and topped everything with a healthier pesto made with spinach and basil.

The spinach not only adds some extra greens, but it also adds a nice earthy flavor to the pesto. It's delicious with pasta and veggies. If you are craving protein, you could always add some chicken, shrimp, or white beans to the dish.

Key Ingredients and Easy Swaps

• Pasta: This recipe works with any pasta you like including whole wheat, gluten-free, and traditional pasta. I have also made it with gnocchi, ravioli, and fresh pasta. Just make sure to cook the pasta correctly, especially if using chickpea or lentil pasta that can get mushy quickly.
• Fresh vegetables: The sauteed vegetables in this recipe add tons of flavor and also nutrients. Any combination of sauteed or roasted vegetables will work. The only vegetable I wouldn't skip is the cherry tomatoes since they also help create some moisture for the sauce. 
• Spinach pesto: The pesto is what brings the whole dish together. This recipe uses a homemade spinach pesto but you could just as easily swap in store-bought pesto. To make a quicker spinach pesto at home, simply combine store-bought pesto with a few cups of fresh spinach in a blender.
• Toppings: To finish this pesto pasta recipe, I recommend adding some fresh Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon juice. You could also add some pine nuts for crunch. 

Recipe Ideas for Pesto Primavera Pasta

There are lots of ways to customize this recipe and make it your own. 

• Add protein: One of the most common ways to adjust this recipe is to add some protein. For a vegetarian protein option, add some cannellini beans or chickpeas. For an animal-based protein, you could add cooked chicken, salmon, shrimp, or chicken sausage. 
• Swap in different vegetables: Make this primavera pasta dish with all your favorite vegetables or whatever is in season. It is delicious with all kinds of vegetables including green beans, asparagus, butternut squash, cauliflower, and broccoli.
• Try different pasta shapes: Changing up the pasta shape or pasta type can change up the flavor. Try it with shells, chickpea pasta, or even cauliflower gnocchi. 

What is primavera?

Technically speaking, the primavera sauce is usually made with chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, basil, salt, and pepper. Normally primavera sauce is served over pasta and vegetables. 

However, pasta primavera now often refers to any pasta dish that is packed with lots of different vegetables.

Pesto primavera pasta is usually a pasta dish with lots of fresh veggies and pesto sauce. 

Can this pesto pasta be served cold?

This actually can be made into a delicious cold pasta salad without too many changes. Make sure to run the pasta under cold water after cooking it. Also, let the vegetables fully cool. Then simply toss everything with the pesto, adding a touch of extra olive oil if needed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.