
Photo: Green asparagus with penne pasta, tomato and mozzarella by Marco Verch under Creative Commons 2.0
This is a one-pot pasta that is perfect for a light spring dinner. Serve next to some grilled salmon or chicken for a complete meal. We made it with chickpea pasta to bump up the protein and fiber!
1 lb penne pasta
3 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
½ cup vegetable or chicken broth
1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
salt and pepper
1Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain and reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set aside cooked pasta and reserved pasta water.
2In the same pot, heat oil and cook garlic for about 1 minute. Add the asparagus, season with the salt and pepper, and cook for 3 minutes until slightly soft.
3Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Pour the broth into the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst and the stock is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
4Add cooked pasta and parmesan and toss well. If needed, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen the pasta.
Recipe Notes
PASTA: We used chickpea pasta for added protein and fiber, but you can use whatever type of pasta you like!
Recipe adapted from: The Food Network and Tasty
Ingredients
1 lb penne pasta
3 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
½ cup vegetable or chicken broth
1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
salt and pepper
Directions
1Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain and reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set aside cooked pasta and reserved pasta water.
2In the same pot, heat oil and cook garlic for about 1 minute. Add the asparagus, season with the salt and pepper, and cook for 3 minutes until slightly soft.
3Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Pour the broth into the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst and the stock is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
4Add cooked pasta and parmesan and toss well. If needed, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen the pasta.