Lemon juice and zest are used to flavor this delicious pasta dish with asparagus. It is simple to prepare and can be left outside in warm weather. Available in hot, warm, or cold forms.
| Prep Time: | 15 mins |
| Cook Time: | 15 mins |
| Total Time: | 30 mins |
| Servings: | 8 |
Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
- 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup olive oil
- salt to taste
- freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in penne and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes. Penne will still be slightly firm.
- Stir asparagus into the pot with the boiling penne pasta and bring back to a boil; cook until pasta is tender and asparagus is softened but still bright green, about 3 more minutes. Drain pasta and asparagus.
- Place penne and asparagus into a large bowl; lightly stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly combined.
Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 378 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 45 g |
| Cholesterol | 9 mg |
| Dietary Fiber | 4 g |
| Protein | 13 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4 g |
| Sodium | 158 mg |
| Sugars | 3 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 0 g |
Reviews
While I enjoyed the combination of lemon with the parmesan cheese and pasta, none of the flavors present are strong enough to be the main. It ends up blending together and becoming rather bland. Not a bad taste, just not overly flavorful. Moderately light, but there was quite a lot of olive oil for my taste; made things a bit too greasy.
Very Good!
Very nice! Added fresh basil, trying to utilize my summer herb garden. It tasted fresh & light, would definitely make again.
This recipe was really really good! I had issues mixing the parmesan evenly throughout the pasta, but I that’s a technique not recipe thing of course. The lemon juice adds a nice tang to it without being overpowering, and the asparagus was cooked well without being mush.
Easy and quick dinner!
Also, I intend to use this as a main dish, adding some chunks of grilled chicken, serving with a tossed salad and some yummy bread. Actually, I may prepare that tomorrow night!
This is a nice, simple recipe with not too many ingredients, but the lemon adds a little something extra. The only thing I would change is to give the asparagus a bit of extra time cooking.
I use Barilla Red Lentil Penne so that it has more protein, but outside of that, I do this recipe exactly as is. It is really perfect and so, so easy. I’m vegetarian, but my husband adds a piece of salmon to the top of his, and he also loves this recipe.
I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5, only because although I loved it, hubby thought it was too bland. I doubled the lemon and the red pepper. I agree the lemon makes it. Next time, I may even add a bit more.
So easy, light and simple! Was a hit in my house! I didn’t have any penne on hand and used rotini instead but it worked. I’ll definitely make this again.
Absolutely loved this recipe! I followed the recipe exactly and the asparagus was cooked perfectly. I may add more asparagus next time…but that is the only thing I’d do differently
Made it exactly as written and was very impressed with the ease of prep and bright flavors and texture. It always amazes me when people change a recipe or make substitutions and then review with a low rating. If made per directions, the asparagus adds flavor to the pasta (you may have to adjust asparagus cooking time by a minute if using bigger spears). Use a high quality evoo light and fruity, very fresh asparagus that you have snapped the woody portion off the bottom and a fresh juicy lemon. Don’t add garlic or other spices and let the flavors in the recipe speak for themselves. Thank you Chop Suey for a delicious recipe.
I added some bulk sausage and it’s a hit!! Thank you!!
Very disappointed and a total waste of great Parmesan cheese!
Great recipe but I added 4 cloves crushed garlic and some pancetta.
Simply fabulous! I have a new go to dish to take to events! Very light flavors and the lemon compliments the asparagus and pasta to perfection.
My husband and I loved this simple recipe using all the ingredients we had on hand in our house plus we added garlic as well! We will definitely be making this again!
I followed the directions and it was so delicious! My wife now thinks I am a gourmet chef. We are trying to eat healthier and this is a great recipe!
We loved it. Nice and lemony. Sauteed seasoned shrimp, until just pink and added them over the pasta. Had plenty of leftovers, but needed more veggies, so added green beans and mixed sauteing greens.
This dish is delicious! As another reviewer said, I also sauteed the asparagus with some onion and a few mushrooms! It was a hit! I’ll definitely be making this dish again and again
I made it and it was super easy. Very good and tasty. I even think it could be even better with grilled chicken in it. Enjoy!!