Easy Jamie Oliver Pasta Primavera Recipe: Fresh & Quick Dinner Joy

Pasta primavera transforms simple ingredients into a vibrant culinary celebration of fresh seasonal produce.

This delightful Italian-inspired dish bursts with colorful vegetables and silky, smooth textures that dance across your palate.

Crisp spring vegetables mingle beautifully with delicate pasta, creating a light yet satisfying meal perfect for warmer days.

Each forkful promises a harmonious blend of garden-fresh flavors and comforting pasta goodness.

Creamy sauces and tender vegetables elevate this classic recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

The combination of ingredients reflects the essence of seasonal cooking, where simplicity meets incredible taste.

You’ll adore how quickly this meal comes together without sacrificing depth of flavor: prepare to be amazed.

Why Jamie Oliver’s Pasta Primavera Bursts with Veggie Goodness

• Unleash Vibrant Veggie Ribbons: Transform ordinary asparagus and courgettes into delicate, elegant ribbons that add a stunning visual appeal and fresh texture to the dish.
• Craft Creamy Comfort with Minimal Effort: Whip up a luxurious sauce using just eggs, crème fraîche, Parmesan, and lemon zest, creating a rich, silky coating that hugs every pasta strand without complicated techniques.
• Quick Gourmet Weeknight Magic: Prepare a restaurant-worthy meal in under 30 minutes, combining crispy pancetta, fresh herbs, and seasonal vegetables for a satisfying dinner that feels both indulgent and effortless.

Crucial Ingredients for Jamie Oliver Pasta Primavera

• Tagliatelle: Soft, wide pasta that holds sauce well. Fresh or dried both work great.
• Asparagus, Courgettes: Fresh spring vegetables sliced into delicate ribbons for light texture.
• Pancetta: Salty Italian bacon that adds crispy, rich flavor to the dish.

• Parmesan Cheese: Hard, aged cheese with sharp, salty taste. Freshly grated provides best flavor.
• Crème Fraîche, Eggs: Creamy base that creates silky, rich sauce with tangy undertones.

• Fresh Mint: Bright, fresh herb that adds cool, aromatic finish to the pasta.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall dish flavor.

• Olive Oil: High-quality oil for sautéing pancetta and adding smooth texture.
• Lemon Zest: Citrusy ingredient that brings fresh, bright note to the creamy sauce.

Bringing Jamie Oliver Pasta Primavera to Life

Step 1: Prepare Boiling Water

Fill a large pot with water, sprinkle 1 pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.

Step 2: Create Vegetable Ribbons

Grab a vegetable peeler and transform asparagus and zucchini into delicate, elegant ribbons. Set aside these beautiful vegetable strips.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Sauce

• 2 eggs
• Crème fraîche
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Zest from 1 lemon

Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk until smooth and well-blended.

Step 4: Cook Pasta and Crisp Pancetta

Boil tagliatelle in salted water according to package directions (typically 8-10 minutes). Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a separate skillet. Sizzle pancetta until golden and crisp, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

Drain pasta, reserving pasta water. Gently toss tagliatelle with crispy pancetta, fresh mint leaves, vegetable ribbons, and creamy sauce. If sauce seems thick, add reserved pasta water to create silky texture. Garnish with extra mint leaves and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy your vibrant Pasta Primavera!

Tips for Fresh & Tasty Pasta Primavera

• Zest and Sprinkle: Grate lemon zest right at the end to burst bright, fresh flavors across your pasta.
• Reserve and Rescue: Capture starchy pasta water before draining, transforming your sauce into a silky, clingy masterpiece.
• Tear and Toss: Rip mint leaves seconds before serving to unleash maximum fragrant freshness and preserve their vibrant green color.
• Slow and Golden: Crisp pancetta gradually over medium heat, developing perfect golden-brown edges without burning.
• Ribbon Like a Pro: Glide a vegetable peeler along asparagus and courgettes, creating delicate, paper-thin strips that cook rapidly and look elegantly artistic.

Storing Jamie Oliver Pasta Primavera

• Compartmentalize Immediately: Transfer pasta primavera into glass containers with tight-sealing lids to lock in freshness and prevent flavor contamination. Separate vegetables and pasta if possible to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Refrigerate Strategically: Store dish at consistent 40°F temperature in the coldest part of your refrigerator. Consume within 24 hours for maximum taste and quality, as delicate vegetable textures deteriorate quickly after initial preparation.
• Revive Smartly: Refresh cold pasta by adding warm broth or extra virgin olive oil before reheating. Gently warm in microwave using 30-second intervals, stirring between each cycle to distribute heat evenly and prevent sauce separation. Avoid multiple reheating cycles to preserve original flavor profile and prevent potential bacterial growth.

Different Spins on Jamie Oliver Primavera

• Veggie Lover's Delight: Replace pancetta with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant for a hearty vegetarian version. Swap crème fraîche with Greek yogurt for a lighter touch.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Add sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Introduce fresh basil instead of mint for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Seafood Sensation: Substitute pancetta with sautéed shrimp or smoked salmon. Incorporate dill instead of mint for a coastal-inspired pasta experience. Sprinkle some red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
• Protein Power Plate: Mix in grilled chicken strips or crispy bacon bits. Include spinach ribbons alongside vegetable strips for extra nutrition. Drizzle with a touch of truffle oil for gourmet complexity.

Wrapping Up Jamie Oliver Pasta Primavera

Pasta Primavera emerges as Jamie Oliver’s culinary masterpiece, blending fresh Mediterranean ingredients with classic Italian techniques.

Ribbons of asparagus and courgettes dance alongside crispy pancetta, creating a symphony of flavors and textures.

Creamy egg and crème fraîche sauce coats each tagliatelle strand with luxurious richness.

Parmesan and mint provide elegant, zesty undertones that elevate this dish beyond standard pasta recipes.

Seasonal vegetables and delicate preparation showcase Mediterranean cooking’s elegant simplicity.

When craving something extraordinary, this recipe promises a delightful journey through Italian countryside flavors – so grab your ingredients, share this recipe with friends, and let your kitchen become a canvas of culinary creativity.

Jamie Oliver Pasta Primavera Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Jamie Oliver’s Pasta Primavera celebrates spring’s freshest vegetables dancing through al dente noodles. Crisp seasonal produce and delicate herbs create a light, colorful Italian masterpiece that invites you to savor each memorable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 400 grams (14.1 ounces) tagliatelle pasta or spaghetti or penne
• 350 grams (12.3 ounces) asparagus
• 2 small courgettes (zucchini)
• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) pancetta

Protein Components:

• 2 large eggs
• 60 grams (2.1 ounces) crème fraîche
• 1 handful freshly grated Parmesan cheese, extra for serving

Seasoning and Herbs:

• ½ lemon
• Olive oil
• ½ bunch fresh mint

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously sized pot by filling it with water, incorporate a sprinkle of salt, and heat until reaching a rolling boil.
2. Utilize a vegetable peeler to transform asparagus and courgettes into delicate, elongated ribbons, setting them aside for subsequent use.
3. Craft a luxurious sauce by whisking together farm-fresh eggs, velvety crème fraîche, aged Parmesan cheese, and bright lemon zest. Enhance the mixture with a careful balance of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. Immerse tagliatelle pasta into the bubbling water, following the package’s precise cooking duration of 8-10 minutes (approximately 3-4 cups or 250-300 grams).
5. Simultaneously, warm extra virgin olive oil in a separate skillet and sauté pancetta until it transforms into crisp, golden-brown morsels.
6. Carefully drain the pasta, reserving approximately 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of the starchy cooking liquid.
7. Combine the tender pasta with the crispy pancetta, fragrant mint leaves, delicate vegetable ribbons, and the creamy egg-based sauce.
8. If the sauce appears too thick, gradually introduce reserved pasta water to achieve a silky, luxurious consistency.
9. Garnish with additional mint leaves and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving immediately.

Notes

• Seasonal vegetables elevate this pasta from ordinary to extraordinary with their delicate, ribbon-like appearance.
• Crème fraîche transforms the sauce into a luxurious coating that hugs each pasta strand with velvety elegance.
• Fresh mint provides a surprising burst of brightness that cuts through the rich, creamy elements of the dish.
• Saving pasta water is the secret weapon for creating a silky, clingy sauce that brings all ingredients together perfectly.
• Versatile enough for a quick family meal or an impressive impromptu dinner party centerpiece, this recipe adapts to any occasion.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 330 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg