Description
This Spring Pasta Recipe is a light and flavorful dish featuring crisp seasonal vegetables, fragrant herbs, and savory smoked turkey bacon. Ready in under 30 minutes, it combines linguine or fettuccine pasta with asparagus, peas, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and a splash of lemon juice for a refreshing and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 8 oz linguine or fettuccine pasta
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and chopped
- 1 cup fresh peas
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Other Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil (natural)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 tsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/4 cup plant-based Parmesan (plant-based), grated or shredded
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep and Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the smoked turkey bacon until crisp and browned. Remove from the skillet and drain excess fat on paper towels.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add a splash of olive oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. Add the chopped asparagus and fresh peas and cook until tender-crisp, about 3-4 minutes. Add the halved cherry tomatoes last and cook until just warmed through.
- Bring It All Together: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the vegetables. Crumble the smoked turkey bacon over the pasta and toss gently to combine. Add reserved pasta water, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, and freshly squeezed lemon juice, tossing to create a light sauce that coats the pasta thoroughly.
- Final Touches: Remove the skillet from heat and fold in the chopped fresh basil and parsley. Sprinkle the dish generously with plant-based Parmesan before serving. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain nice texture and prevent mushiness.
- Reserve pasta water to help emulsify the sauce naturally without dairy.
- Add fresh herbs at the end for maximum fragrance and bright flavor.
- Do not overcook asparagus and peas; keep them crisp for texture and color.
- Add lemon juice gradually to balance acidity to your liking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: spring pasta, fresh vegetables, smoked turkey bacon, plant-based Parmesan, quick dinner, vegetarian option, light pasta dish