AARP Hearing Center
![The Whole Garden Pasta Primavera Recipe Spaghetti with peas, mushrooms, tomatoes, carrots and peppers in it on plate](https://aarp.widen.net/content/afylzub0ph/jpeg/CarolineManzoDay_4_PastaPrimavera_2870.jpg?crop=true&anchor=0,2&q=80&r=90&color=ffffffff&u=7xsf69&w=2048&h=1177)
This pasta is like sunshine in a bowl. Just thinking about it makes me feel light and good and happy. I like to use whatever fresh ingredients I can find, which means I’m constantly changing the lineup here. Use this recipe as a starting point, but don’t feel like you have to follow it exactly. It’s great in the summer, but I especially like it in the winter when I need some extra warm comfort. —Caroline Manzo
![member card Image Alt Attribute](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/experience-fragments/uxdia-folder-structure/en/features/membership/inline-membership-promo/default/master5/_jcr_content/root/responsivegrid/container_copy/container/articleimage.coreimg.75.1140.png/content/dam/uxdia/membership-card-d-and-t.png)
AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.
The Whole Garden Pasta Primavera
Serves 8
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 2 medium carrots, julienned
- 1 zucchini, julienned
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1 medium onion, halved and sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 plum tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups frozen peas
- Kosher salt
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- Pecorino rind (optional)
- 1 pound dried spaghetti or angel hair
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
Directions
In a Dutch oven over medium heat, heat the olive oil. When the oil shimmers, add the mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, bell pepper, onion and garlic. Sauté, stirring often, until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, peas and a couple big pinches of salt. Stir in the broth. (If you have a rind of pecorino, throw in a 1-inch chunk!) Bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat to let the flavors meld.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the spaghetti to al dente according to the package directions. Drain the pasta.
Add the pasta to the vegetables and return to medium heat. Simmer, tossing constantly to coat the pasta in the sauce, until everything is combined and the sauce is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove and discard the rind (if using). Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley and basil before serving.
NOTE: Don’t microwave leftover pasta! Add it to a skillet with a splash of water, set over medium heat and toss until warmed through.
Excerpted from Food & Other Things I Love: More Than 100 Italian American Recipes from My Family to Yours by Caroline Manzo © 2024. Published by Chronicle Books. Photographs © Lauren Volo.
![Cookbook 'Food & Other Things I Love' by Caroline Manzo Cookbook that says Caroline Manzo, Food and Other Things I Love, more than 100 Italian American recipes from my family to yours; Caroline Manzo stirring something in pot on stove on cover](https://aarp.widen.net/content/dykdhlozk3/jpeg/350-cookbook-carolinemanzo-hero.jpg?crop=true&anchor=0,0&q=80&color=ffffffff&u=7xsf69&w=350&h=450)
Cook with Caroline
Manzo shared two more recipes from Food & Other Things I Love for AARP members to try:
This dish screams summertime: It’s simple, it’s fresh, and it has a lot of vibrant flavors.
Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Aioli
This is a perfect appetizer on its own or as part of an antipasti spread.
Read about Caroline Manzo’s cookbook, Food & Other Things I Love.
You Might Also Like
Plant-Forward Dinner for Two
Grab Mark Bittman’s recipes for Succotash and Shells, Cherry Shortcake and Antipasto Wedge
Delicious Summer Salad Recipes
These dishes are a great way to boost your nutrient density, hit your fiber goals and add some variety to your routine
Dinner for Two by Carla Hall
Try the recipes for Smashed Peewee Potatoes and Carrots, Hibiscus Ginger Sweet Tea Soda and more
Recommended for You