Creamy Asparagus Pasta Recipe: A Springtime Delight
Are you ready for a pasta dish that's as easy as it is delicious? This creamy asparagus pasta recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a more sophisticated meal for guests. It's packed with fresh spring flavors and requires minimal cooking time. Let's get started!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe serves 2-3 people. Feel free to double or triple it depending on your needs.
- 1 pound pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti work well)
- 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: Lemon zest for a brighter flavor, red pepper flakes for a touch of heat, or toasted pine nuts for added crunch.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
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Sauté the Asparagus and Garlic: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and cook for 3-5 minutes, until tender-crisp. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
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Create the Creamy Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has slightly thickened.
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Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the asparagus and sauce. Toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
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Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately, garnished with lemon zest, red pepper flakes, or toasted pine nuts if desired.
Tips and Variations:
- Add Protein: For a heartier meal, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or pancetta to the pasta.
- Use Different Cheese: Experiment with other cheeses like Pecorino Romano or Asiago.
- Make it Vegetarian: This recipe is already vegetarian, but you can make it vegan by using a plant-based cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
- Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives adds a lovely fresh element.
Why This Recipe is SEO Optimized:
This recipe post utilizes several SEO best practices:
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- Structured Data: While not explicitly shown here, implementing schema markup for recipes would further enhance SEO.
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This delicious and easy asparagus pasta recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen. Enjoy!
