So what is Pasta Primivera? Pasta primavera is a dish that consists of pasta and fresh vegetables. A meat such as chicken, sausage or shrimp is sometimes added, but the focus of primavera is the vegetables themselves. Sounds good? Then let’s do it!! All accolades for this recipe belong to my brother as he made his version of this for us on our trip to Cincy and we loved it!

You will need:

• 1 box of your favorite pasta, I used Dreamfields angelhair.
• I used a handful of red, green, orange and yellow peppers. About 1 cup sliced of whatever size you buy.
• 1 zucchini sliced
• 1 yellow squash sliced
• 1 cup of fresh mushrooms
• 1- 2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes.
• 2 cloves of minced or crushed garlic
• 1/2 cup olive oil & 1/4 cup for drizzle
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil for garnish
• 1 lb of breakfast sausage cooked and crumbled

In a large pot, add water and salt for pasta and get that started.

Boil until al dente or your desired tenderness, drain and set aside in strainer.

While the noodles are cooking, you can cut all those yummy veggies and put the sausage in a pan and get that going as well. Slice, dice, chop and whirl. Ok, don’t whirl. This city girl will not be responsible for your out of hand whirling! Got it?? Aren’t all those fresh colors pretty?

In a pan add the oil and garlic and let the pan warm up.

Add the veggies starting with the squashes and peppers then adding in the mushrooms and tomatoes about 5 minutes after the squash and peppers.

This gives them a chance to cook some but still stay crisp. You want everything to keep that fresh bite.

Your sausage will need to be stirred, poked and prodded to get that nice crumble.  I like to use a whisk.

The bright colors look so pretty as they all simmer and crisp up together. I love how simple this dish is. I just got back from the pool and this was a quick and oh so pretty meal. As far as they know it took me hours, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

Rinse the pasta in the strainer and shake off. Pour directly into a large serving bowl. Drizzle about 1/4 cup of olive oil over the pasta. Toss a little.

Add your veggies and any remaining pan drippings right on top, then the crumbled sausage, parmesan cheese, basil garnish and you’re done!  You are sure to love this if you enjoy fresh vegetables. This pasta could easily go vegetarian by leaving out the sausage and adding once more clove of garlic for kick. I love the sausage though. It adds that nice spice and topping almost like a pizza. Loved it. Bon Appetite!