Pasta with Green Beans
This one pot summer vegetable pasta is the epitome of everything we need right now. It’s a quick pasta with green beans that’s fast, fresh, and easy!!!
I’ve laid off my complaints about fall not arriving yet – partly because you all aren’t ready for summer to end; partly because the highs are only in the 70s this week, so I’m happier; and mostly because I can still enjoy all my favorite summer produce!
I’ve been in a few conversations recently about how lucky Californians are solely because of our ease of access to fresh produce year round.
Farmers markets happen every week in most parts of the state, especially LA. Since summer lends itself to fresh produce across the country, however, we all have to rejoice in the fruits and vegetables summer brings with it.
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Pasta with Green beans
I don’t eat a lot of pasta, but I do enjoy it. If you remember my one pot pasta and peas or my super greens spinach pasta salad, then you know I love pasta and I pack it FULL of veggies, so it isn’t such a carb-overload. Come to think of it, this lemon & pea pasta salad too!
This time I paired rigatoni, a heartier pasta to be sure, with fresh greens beans and asparagus. I ended it all with fresh cherry tomatoes, a great olive oil and some fresh basil.
It was great for dinner and just as delicious for lunch the next day! In this pasta with green beans, you could easily use a pasta with a bit of protein in it. I’ve seen quinoa pasta, chickpea pasta, etc. They’d all be great!
It’s certainly a good option for dinner when it’s too hot to cook!
What is a “quick drain” of pasta?
You’ll notice in the recipe below, I said to quickly drain the pasta. What does that mean exactly? I see so many people drain every possible droplet of water from the pasta before adding sauce or putting it back in the pan.
I’ve also seen pasta drained and doused in cold water (I shutter). That pasta water is your best friend for getting sauce to stick to the pasta and for getting your sauce and pasta flavors to blend harmoniously.
When I say a quick drain, I mean to drain most of the water (after you’ve pulled off that 1 cup), and immediately put in back into the pot. I don’t even let every single bit of pasta leave the pot – there’s no need!
Want some other good pasta recipes? This lemon tuna pasta is easy, inexpensive and delicious! Simpler versions (great as a side dish too) are peas and pasta and this summer corn pasta is a mandatory one in our house. On the lighter side, this fresh cherry tomato pasta with ricotta is divine and this broccoli pasta is heartier than you’d ever expect from a plant-based meal!
And try this cabbage pasta for a great weeknight dinner any time of year!
PASTA w. GREEN BEANS
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta rigatoni used here
- 1 lb. fresh green beans trimmed
- 12 oz. asparagus
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- olive oil
- salt
- fresh pepper
- optional toppings:Â lemon zest chili flakes, fresh basil
Instructions
- In a large pot with a lid, boil 8 cups of water.
- Meanwhile remove hearty base of stem from asparagus. Cut asparagus and green beans into 1-2″ pieces. Cut tomatoes in half and set aside.
- When water is boiling, add 1 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon olive oil to water. Add pasta. Cook 10 minutes*.
- Add green beans and asparagus stems. Cook another 3-5 minutes until tender. Remove 1 cup pasta water, set aside. Add asparagus tips. Drain veggies and pasta quickly (retaining some of the cooking water is preferable).
- Add pasta water. Combine. Drizzle good quality olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. I used 1-2 tablespoons olive oil.
- *Because pasta cooking times vary, check the package. Cook pasta until barely al dente and then add in vegetables to finish cooking together. The addition of the vegetables will lower the water temperature so it’s ok if the cooking time is longer than stated on the package.
