Pasta Primavera Recipe

This delicious and easy Pasta Primavera recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal. Loaded with fresh veggies, flavorful herbs and tossed in a creamy sauce, it’s a crowd-pleasing and healthy dish that the whole family will love.

This last weekend I really wanted something light, but still yummy, and this Pasta Primavera Recipe was perfect. We are huge asparagus fans so anything with asparagus gets us excited. Although the dish has no meat, I really don’t think you miss out on anything. In fact, the husband and I like having meatless meals every now and again as long as all of the flavor is still there. I bet you could throw in some grilled chicken or shrimp for protein and that would be sooooo good!

What Makes Something Primavera?

Primavera is an Italian word that means “spring”. In the culinary world, primavera means a dish served with a mixture of fresh seasonal vegetables usually paired with a pasta and creamy sauce.

Ingredients for Pasta Primavera

I’m going to give you a list of the fresh vegetables that we like to use in this pasta recipe, but this is definitely a dish that you can make substitutions with your favorite veggies. Here is what you will need:

• Penne Pasta: Any bite-sized pasta can be used, other good options would be orecchiette, rigatoni, farfalle or fusilli.
• Vegetables: Asparagus, Yellow Squash, Matchstick Carrots, Red Bell Pepper, Red Onion, Grape or Cherry Tomatoes, and Peas
  • Other options: Broccoli, Green Beans, Spinach, Brussels Sprouts, or Zucchini
• Sauce: Butter, Garlic, Lemon Zest and Juice, Pasta Water, Heavy Cream, and Parmesan
• Seasoning: Dried Italian Seasoning, Red Pepper Flakes, Fresh Basil Leaves, and Fresh Curly Parsley

The measurements and details for all the ingredients in this recipe can be found in the recipe card down below.

How to Make Pasta Primavera

1. Boil: Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot and add a handful of salt.
2. Cook: Add the pasta and cook it until al dente. Do not drain! We will use the pasta water later for the sauce.
3. Sauté: Using a large skillet, add some olive oil and add the asparagus, onions and peppers and sauté until slightly tender and move to a plate.
4. Cook: Add the squash and carrots to the skillet, season it with salt and pepper and cook until tender but still crisp. Move the veggies to the plate with the asparagus.
5. Bloom: Add the butter to the skillet and add the garlic followed by the lemon zest, Italian seasoning to bloom the flavors. Add the tomatoes and cook until they start to brown.
6. Simmer: Add the pasta water and bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer until the tomatoes start to burst. Then add the peas.
7. Stir: Pour in the cream, lemon j

Quick and Easy Lemon Orzo with Parmesan and Peas

As the winter is starting to melt away we make recipes that scream spring like this quick and easy lemon orzo with Parmesan and peas.

We toast the orzo first to give it a delicious nutty flavor, and then add minced garlic for boldness. The orzo is then cooked with chicken broth and then we add peas, lemon and fresh thyme. It is a bright dish that is the perfect transition into spring!

The Beauty of Garden Produce

There’s truly nothing better than fresh garden produce. I didn’t understand this as a child and I don’t know that many people have experienced true farm to table even today. Mom and Dad would harvest the garden with all of us kids at the end of summer, but for me it was the excitement of fresh corn, homemade raspberry jam, and making boats to float in our mudroom sink made out of hollowed out cucumbers, while Mom and Dad were anxious to cut open a juicy tomato, sprinkle it with a little salt and savor every bite.

I’m not kidding. I did not get that. I still don’t eat a tomato like an apple. Do you?

I have gained such an appreciation for food that you’ve labored over. It’s a fact: fresh picked tastes better.

Unfortunately, it’s not time for fresh peas but when they are ready we will be shelling them for this quick and easy lemon orzo with parmesan and peas. We often eat this as a main dish (check our our ham version for a main dish), but it’s wonderful and light so it makes a great healthy side dish as well.

What is Orzo?

I love this question; it’s so satisfying to see people’s reactions when they learn that orzo isn’t a grain, despite the fact that it looks like one. Spoiler: orzo is actually a flat, rice-shaped pasta that’s great in soups, salads, or enjoyed as is.

How is Orzo Different from Rice?

Although orzo can be cooked like rice and has similar nutritional information, it cooks up in about half the time. This is the number one reason why I love cooking with orzo. Well, that and the fact that I like the shape. And it tastes really good, especially when you toast it first. Okay, there are a lot of reasons why I love orzo. 

Is Orzo Healthier Than Rice?

Orzo has higher protein and fiber content than rice, but orzo has slightly higher carbohydrates per serving. Because orzo is higher in protein and fiber, it will help you feel fuller for longer which can help with weight loss.

Tips on How to Cook Orzo

Like I mentioned above, you can cook orzo like pasta, boiling it in liquid, which works well if you’re serving it in soup because you can

Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

This lemon cake with lemon cream cheese frosting has a soft crumb and is packed with delicious lemon flavor. The cream cheese frosting is sweet and tangy, making it the perfect pairing for the lemon cake!

Easy Lemon Cake Recipe (From Scratch!)

I absolutely love lemon desserts. Lemon tastes bright and sunshine-y, and I think the slight tang is so delicious in cakes and cupcakes.

So today I’m sharing this lemon cake with lemon cream cheese frosting. It’s a moist lemon cake made in a 9×13-inch pan that’s frosted with a tangy lemon cream cheese frosting. It’s an easy lemon cake recipe, and it takes much less effort than making lemon cupcakes or a lemon layer cake.

What I loved so much about this homemade lemon cake recipe is that the lemon flavor tastes bright and fresh, without being tart or bitter. It’s deliciously sunny, and flavorful without being overpowering. If you love lemon desserts, this lemon cake with lemon cream cheese frosting is the perfect recipe for you.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

What’s Needed to Make Homemade Lemon Cake?

To make the lemon cake from scratch, you’ll need:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Unsalted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Sour cream
• Buttermilk
• Lemon juice and zest

And to make the lemon frosting, you’ll need:

• Unsalted butter
• Cream cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Milk

You can find the measurement for each ingredient in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Lemon Cake with Lemon Frosting

This homemade lemon cake with lemon cream cheese frosting is a cinch to make! Here are the basic steps to mastering this recipe:

1. Prep: Preheat the oven and grease a 9×13 pan.
2. Dry Ingredients: Sift or whisk together all the dry ingredients in a medium bowl (flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt).
3. Rub: In a small bowl, combine the sugar with the lemon zest and rub the sugar and zest together with your fingers. This activates the oils in the zest creating bigger and bolder flavor.
4. Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl with an electric mixer (or in the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment), beat together the sugar and lemon zest mixture with the butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined.
5. Stir: Turn the mixer to low speed and add the sour cream, lemon juice and buttermilk and mix until combined.
6. Combine: Slowly add in the dry ingredients and mix until a few streaks of flour remain.
7. Bake: Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish and bake as

Classic Lemon Bars Recipe

The best lemon bars are a classic spring recipe made with a buttery crust and gooey lemon filling. Top this lemon bar recipe with powdered sugar and you’ll have an easy and delicious spring dessert!

When April and May hit is just means lemon desserts like iced lemon cake, lemon meringue pie, lemon cheesecake cookies and these lemon bars! There’s nothing better than a sweet and tart lemon recipe to finish of a party or dinner as we head into the summer months.

Lemon bars are one of those classic recipes that you probably think of when you think lemon treats. For good reason! They’re delicious.

The trick to a good lemon bar? Lots of fresh lemon juice and lemon zest.

You’ll also want a soft and buttery crust for your lemon bar recipe. All that gooey filling has to top something!

Ingredients for the Best Lemon Bars

You will need a few basic baking ingredients to make these bars along with a few fresh lemons. Here is what you will need to make this delicious recipe:

Crust:

• Sugar: just regular granulated white sugar
• Unsalted Butter: needs to be softened to room temperature
• Flour: all purpose flour is all you need
• Salt: cuts through the sweetness and tartness and enhances all the flavors
• Lemon Juice: the juice of about 1 lemon

Filling:

• Eggs: creates the richness and creaminess of the filling
• Sugar: adds sweetness and balances the tartness of the lemons
• Flour: helps thicken the filling and gives it structure
• Salt: enhances all the flavors
• Lemon Juice: fresh lemon juice is preferred and you’ll need 3-4 large lemons
• Lemon Zest: you’ll need the zest from about 1 lemon
• Powdered Sugar: used for garnish to balance out the tartness and to make the bars look extra pretty

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post. BONUS: If you want a gluten free lemon bar, check out our gf lemon bar recipe.

How to Make Lemon Bars

There are two parts to this recipe – the crust and the filling. Both parts are super simple! Here are the steps:

Crust:

Start by creaming 2 sticks of softened butter and sugar in a large bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. This will be the base of your really tender crust. Then you’ll add the flour and sugar to bring it all together to form a dough.

The dough will likely be a little crumbly at this point so add in a bit of lemon juice unti

Healthy Greek Turkey or Chicken Tostadas

We are stealing tostadas from Mexican cuisine and piling them high with Greek-inspired toppings for the most delicious Greek turkey or chicken tostadas!

I’ve never been to Greece, but I picture it to be perfection. I don’t eat seafood much, so that part may be difficult. I just keep picturing a beautiful, light and breezy room that looks out over the most serene water with a stunning sunset and relaxation all around. My goodness we want to visit.

I wish someone would just plan a trip for us. Tell us where to go, what to see and especially what to eat. I’m bound and determined to make it happen. It’s a dream I can’t let go of. In the meantime I’ll keep making these healthy Greek turkey tostadas with lemon tzatziki sauce.

Recommended Equipment

• Tomato Knife
• Meat Chopper

Before You Start…

I like to start this recipe by making the tzatziki sauce! The flavor really elevates if you make it and let it sit for an hour or so.

You’ll also want to roast the chickpeas by tossing them with some olive oil, salt and pepper, Italian seasoning and some canned grated parmesan cheese. Roast them at 425 degrees for 20-30 minutes on a baking sheet.

What is a Tostada?

A tostada is basically an open faced taco where a crunchy corn tortilla is piled high with all the typical taco toppings. In this case, we are swapping out the ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream for ground turkey, feta, spinach, cucumbers and tzatziki.

Ingredients for Greek Tostadas

At first glance this may look like a lot of ingredients, but most of the ingredients are toppings and you can pile your tostada with as much or as little toppings as you want. Here is what you will need:

Tomato Cucumber Salsa

• Olive Oil: combined with the vinegar, this creates a simple dressing to amp up the flavor of the cucumber and tomatoes
• Red Wine Vinegar: combines with the oil to create the dressing
• Cucumber: I like to use English cucumbers so I don’t have to worry about peeling or seeding them.
• Tomatoes: you can use grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes or dice up some roma tomatoes
• Olives: I just diced up a few black olives, but you could definitely go more Greek and use kalamata olives you want.
• Salt and Pepper: just adds a little flavor boost

Chicken or Turkey

• Chicken Thighs: you can use the marinade for the chicken souvlaki if you want or just brown ground chicken thighs or ground turkey
• <