Springtime Asparagus Pasta Toss Food

SPRING PEA AND ASPARAGUS PASTA

Steps:

• First, prep your vegetables. Then bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the pasta for two minutes less than the package directions. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta water and drain the pasta.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in your largest frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the shallots, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown (about 5 minutes).
• Add the asparagus and garlic, season with salt, and cook until the asparagus is knife-tender and bright green (about 3 minutes). Stir in the peas and cook until the peas are bright green (about 2 minutes).
• Add the drained pasta to the pan along with 1 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss to coat. Cook until the sauce starts to coat the pasta (about 2 minutes). Remove the pan from heat and transfer its contents to a large serving bowl. Add the cheese and butter and stir to coat. (Add more pasta water as needed. The sauce should just cling to the pasta.)
• Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, herbs and pine nuts. Taste and adjust seasonings as required (add a pinch of salt, red pepper flakes and/or a squeeze of lemon juice if desired). Grate some cheese over the top and garnish with freshly ground black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately.

SPRING PESTO PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add asparagus. Cook for 3 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl of ice water. Let cool, then drain.
• Bring the same pot of water back up to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 11 minutes, or until al dente. Then drain, reserving about 1/4 cup of cooking water.
• In a large bowl, combine pasta, asparagus, and basil pesto. Toss until pasta is evenly coated with pesto. If the sauce is too thick, begin pouring in some reserved pasta water (about 2 tablespoons at a time) until the sauce reaches desired consistency. Add chives, lemon zest, and mozzarella, and stir until just combined.
• Divide pasta into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese. If eating immediately, serve hot. You can also serve it cold or at room temperature as a delicious vegetarian pasta salad.

SPRINGTIME ASPARAGUS PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt; keep warm. Heat dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add bacon and onions; cook 8 to 10 min. or until bacon is crisp and onions are tender.
• Add asparagus, tomatoes and red pepper; cook 5 min. or until asparagus is crisp-tender.
• Drain pasta. Immediately toss with vegetable mixture and mozzarella. Sprinkle with Parmesan.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS-PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400° F.
• Cook Penne in salted boiling water until al dente; drain and return to pot.
• While the penne is cooking, combine the oil, pepper, and salt in a medium bowl; Add the asparagus and toss.
• Place the asparagus in a single layer on a baking sheet; Roast in the preheated oven, tossing or stirring the asparagus several times, until it is tender and lightly browned, about 15 minutes: (If the asparagus is very thin, reduce the cooking time by several minutes and check often to prevent burning.).
• While the penne and asparagus are cooking, combine the chicken broth, butter, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat; Heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted.
• Add the asparagus and pine nuts to the pasta and toss.
• Gently toss in the chicken broth mixture over medium heat just until heated through.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• Toss in the chives just before serving.

BEEF & ASPARAGUS PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• Cook pasta in boiling salted water 10 minutes or until almost tender.
• Add asparagus; continue cooking 3 to 4 minutes or until pasta and asparagus are tender.
• Drain well.
• Meanwhile brown ground beef in large non-stick skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is not pink, breaking up into 3/4 inch crumbles.
• Remove from skillet with slotted spoon.
• Pour off drippings.
• Heat oil in same skillet over medium heat until hot.
• Add shallots and garlic; cook 3 to 4 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently.
• Remove from heat.
• Add beef; toss to mix.
• Season with salt and pepper, as desired.
• Combine beef mixture with pasta and asparagus in large bowl; toss well.
• Sprinkle with cheese, if desired.