Vibrant roasted vegetable pasta (Printer View)

Italian pasta tossed with roasted seasonal vegetables, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan for a light yet satisfying meal.

# What you'll need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced
03 - 1 medium yellow squash, sliced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
05 - 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
06 - 1 small red onion, sliced
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 cup broccoli florets

→ Seasonings & Aromatics

09 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
10 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
12 - ½ teaspoon salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional

→ Garnish

15 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
17 - Lemon wedges, optional

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli on the prepared sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly and spread in a single layer.
02 - Roast for 18 to 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until lightly browned and tender.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta.
04 - In a large skillet over medium heat, add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Add roasted vegetables and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen if needed.
06 - Remove from heat. Stir in half the Parmesan and fresh basil or parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Serve immediately, topped with remaining Parmesan and extra herbs. Add a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns a pile of everyday vegetables into something that feels special without any fuss.
  • The roasted edges add a sweetness you just cant get from boiling or steaming.
  • You can swap in whatever looks good at the market and it still works beautifully.
  • Its filling enough to be dinner but light enough that you dont feel weighed down after.
02 -
  • Don't skip reserving the pasta water, it's the secret to making the sauce cling instead of separating into puddles of oil.
  • Spread the vegetables in a single layer on the baking sheet or they'll steam instead of roast and you'll lose that caramelized sweetness.
  • Add the garlic to the skillet at the very end and watch it closely because it can go from golden to burnt in seconds.
03 -
  • Use a mix of colorful vegetables because we eat with our eyes first, and a vibrant plate makes everything taste better.
  • Grate your own Parmesan instead of using the pre-grated kind, it melts smoother and tastes about ten times more alive.
  • Toss the hot pasta with the vegetables off the heat so the fresh herbs stay bright and don't wilt into sad little threads.
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