Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Why You’ll Love This Easy Vegetarian Pasta
- Simple Ingredients, Bold Flavors
- Perfect for Healthy Clean Eating Lunches
- Quick Weeknight Dinner Option
- Tips to Customize Your Casarecce
- Notes & Tips
Key Takeaways
This creamy lemon asparagus casarecce is a quick and delicious pasta dish packed with bright, fresh flavors. It’s a perfect choice for easy vegetarian recipes healthy clean eating lunch, bringing together simple ingredients like asparagus, lemon, and toasted almonds in a comforting meal that’s ready in just 25 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Vegetarian Pasta
At Betty Cooks (www.bettycooks.com), we’re all about meals that are fast, flavorful, and nourishing. This recipe fits the bill for those seeking easy vegetarian recipes healthy clean eating lunch options. It’s bursting with spring-inspired ingredients and satisfies even the pickiest eaters, making it ideal for dinner recipes easy for kids or even a light family lunch.
Simple Ingredients, Bold Flavors
This pasta dish proves you don’t need a mile-long ingredient list to enjoy something comforting and healthy. With just asparagus, lemon, almonds, and cheese, it delivers an elevated taste that aligns perfectly with quick and easy dump dinner recipes and healthy air fryer recipes easy, even if no air fryer is needed here!
Perfect for Healthy Clean Eating Lunches
If you’re on the hunt for easy vegetarian recipes healthy clean eating lunch options that are light yet filling, this one is for you. The freshness of lemon and crunch of almonds keeps it satisfying, while the low prep time makes it one of the best easy simple dinner recipes to add to your routine.
Quick Weeknight Dinner Option
Weeknights get hectic. This dish is a go-to for when you need something fast, filling, and not overly heavy. The entire meal comes together in 25 minutes—just the kind of recipe that’s perfect for busy nights and easy keto recipes chicken alternatives for your Meatless Monday rotation.
Tips to Customize Your Casarecce
Want to make it your own? Toss in some cherry tomatoes or add a dollop of ricotta for extra creaminess. Gluten-free? Just use GF pasta. For a nut-free version, skip the almonds and try pumpkin seeds. This flexibility makes it an ideal choice for healthy lunchboxes and easy dinner recipes smoked sausage swaps when accommodating different diets.
Notes & Tips
This recipe was developed with simplicity in mind. It’s part of Betty’s personal favorites on Betty Cooks and a delicious way to keep your meal planning exciting without compromising on health or flavor. Whether you’re cooking for kids or preparing ahead for the week, this easy vegetarian pasta recipe checks all the boxes.
Easy Vegetarian Casarecce with Lemon, Asparagus & Almonds
Ingredients
- 12 ounces gluten-free casarecce pasta (or pasta of choice)
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- Optional: fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add asparagus and sauté until tender-crisp, about 4-5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Add the drained pasta and Parmigiano-Reggiano, tossing until coated and creamy. Add more pasta water if needed.
- Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and fresh herbs before serving.
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