9ozdried pasta, such as spaghetti, tagliatelle, fettuccine or linguine
Vegetables:
15-20asparagus tips
1stalkbroccoli, cut into small florets
1/2cupfrozen peas
1/2smallred onion, thinly sliced
2-3handfulsbaby spinach
3Tablespoonsfresh basil, chopped
For cooking vegetables:
3Tablespoonsolive oil
2clovesgarlic, minced
Pinchred pepper flakes
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Sauce:
1cupwhipping cream
2/3cupParmesan, freshly grated
2Tablespoonsbutter
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Warm Tomatoes:
1 1/2cupsgrape tomatoes, halved
1clovesgarlic, minced
3Tablespoonsfresh basil, chopped
1/4cupolive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
For serving:
Additional freshly grated Parmesan
Freshly ground pepper
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Instructions
Start a large pot of water boiling on the stove-top for the pasta (and blanching the vegetables). Add a generous sprinkling of salt.
Meanwhile, gather all your vegetables and chop. Add the tomatoes, 1 clove minced garlic, 3 Tbsp basil and 1/4 cup olive oil to a small saucepan. Set aside. Collect the vegetables that will need blanching (asparagus, broccoli and peas) and place in a medium bowl. Set aside. Place the remaining ingredients (red onion, 2 cloves minced garlic and baby spinach next to the stove. Grate the Parmesan and measure out the cream and have handy to the stove as well.
When pasta water is boiling, add the vegetables that need blanching into the boiling water and allow to cook for 3-4 minutes (depending on how tender-crisp or tender you want them). Using a slotted spoon, remove vegetables from the boiling water to a colander. Rinse under cold water to stop the vegetables from cooking further. Set aside.
Add the pasta to the still boiling water. Allow pasta to cook to al dente, per package instructions.
While pasta is cooking, heat 3 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pinch of red pepper flakes, then add the red onion and cook, stirring, until the onion is just starting to soften. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, another 45 seconds or so. Add the cream, butter and Parmesan and cook, stirring, until combined. Add the reserved, blanched vegetables and cook, stirring, until warmed. (Turn off heat under skillet or remove from heat until pasta is ready, if necessary, to avoid over-cooking the vegetables).
When pasta is ready, scoop out and reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
Turn heat on under saucepan with tomatoes to medium. Allow to come to a simmer, then reduce heat to low to keep warm.
Drain pasta and add to the skillet with the sauce and vegetables. Heat over medium heat, tossing with tongs, for about 1 minute. Scatter baby spinach and basil over-top and toss, until spinach is wilted. Season with salt and pepper as needed. If the mixture seems thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta cooking water as needed, to loosen it.
Spoon pasta into serving bowls. Spoon warm tomatoes overtop. Garnish with additional Parmesan and some freshly ground pepper.
Notes
Be sure to read the notes above this Recipe Card, where I share some valuable tips, options, substitutions and variations for this recipe!