Best The Best Asparagus Lemon Pasta Recipes

LEMON ASPARAGUS PASTA

Steps:

• 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.

QUICK ASPARAGUS AND LEMON PASTA

Steps:

• Bring large pot of salted water to a boil.
• While water boils, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in medium skillet. Saute onion until soft; add garlic and saute additional minute. Remove from heat.
• Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to box directions. 2 minutes before cook time is up, reserve 1 cup pasta water, then add asparagus to boiling pot. Continue to cook until pasta is al dente. Drain cooked pasta and asparagus. Return pasta and asparagus to the pot, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, onion and garlic mixture, grated cheese, lemon zest and 1/2 the reserved pasta water. Season with salt and pepper, and stir gently until well mixed. Add additional pasta water as needed for desired consistency.
• Serve right away with extra cheese on the side.

ASPARAGUS LEMON PASTA

Steps:

• In a steamer set over boiling water steam asparagus, covered, until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain asparagus well.
• In a 6-quart kettle bring 5 quarts salted water to a boil for pasta.
• In a deep 12-inch skillet heat butter and cream over moderately low heat until butter is melted and stir in zest, lemon juice, and salt. Remove skillet from heat and keep sauce warm, covered.
• Add pasta to boiling water and boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Ladle 1/4 cup pasta water into sauce and drain pasta in colander.
• Immediately add pasta and asparagus to sauce and cook over moderate heat, tossing, 1 minute, or until heated through. Add parsley and salt and pepper to taste and toss well.
• Sprinkle pasta with a little Parmesan and serve more Parmesan on the side.

BAKED PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS, LEMON, AND MASCARPONE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450°F.
• Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.
• Heat a large pot of water to boil.
• Add asparagus and cook 2 minutes, remove with a slotted spoon and run under cold water to stop cooking process, drain well.
• Add fettuccine to boiling water and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes.
• While fettuccine is cooking, heat oil in a skillet, add scallions and saute 1 minute.
• Add asparagus, saute 1 minute.
• Remove from heat and add half the zest, lemon juice, thyme, salt, pepper; mix well; set aside.
• In a saucepan melt butter, add flour and mix well.
• Whisk in milk and stir until boiling, lower heat and cook until thickened.
• Remove from heat and stir in mascapone, remaining zest and 1/2 cup parmigiano-reggiano, whisking until smooth.
• Season with allspice, cayenne, salt and pepper.
• Mix remaining cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper in a small bowl.
• For assembly:.
• Drain the cooked fettucine and return to pot.
• Stir in asparagus mixture, cheese sauce, toasted nuts and mix well.
• Pour into prepared pan, top with breadcrumb mixture.
• Bake uncovered 15-20 minutes until bubbling and golden; serve.

PENNE WITH ASPARAGUS-LEMON SAUCE

Steps:

• Snap the tough butt ends off the asparagus or peel to the tender core.
• Cut the stmes into 1" pieces.
• Reserve the asparagus tips Bring 5-6 qts water to rolling boil, add 2-3 Tbs salt, and cook asparagus stems for 6-8 minutes until soft and totally tender.
• Remove stems with slotted spoon, refresh in cold water, and drain Cook the tips in the boiling water for 3-5 minutes until tender, remove with a slotted spoon, refresh in cold wate, and drain.
• Reserve asparagus cooking water.
• Puree the stems in a food processor with lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 cup asparagus cookign water, and salt and pepper to taste; transfer the sauce to a 3 qt pot.
• Return the remaining asparagus cooking water to a rolling boil, add the pasta, and cook until it still offers considerable resistance to the tooth, around three quarters of the recommended cooking time.
• Drain, reserving 2 cups of pasta water.
• Add pasta, asparagus tips, and 1/2 cup starchy water to asparagus stem puree and cook ina 3 qt pot over highest heat, stirring for 3-5 minutes until pasta is almost cooked and sauce coats pasta.
• Add more pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, if sauce becomes too dry.
• Sauce should surround pasta but be slightly liquid since cheese will thicken it.
• Add the grated Parmigiano, heat for an additional minute to melt the cheese and serve immediately.