Make the most of the spring harvest with this delightfully simple Asparagus Pasta recipe. The pasta is tossed with tender asparagus and briny olives in a lemony sauce, and held together with a generous serving of freshly grated Parmesan. It's a light yet hearty meal, perfect for those spring nights.
Asparagus is truly the star of this easy pasta dish — there's no doubt about it! Every element of this recipe was designed to highlight asparagus's grassy, fresh flavor, and you'll agree that lemony pasta, salty olives, and savory cheese come together in perfect balance. Pair it with this refreshing Spring Salad and Greek Chicken for a comforting spring feast!
Why You'll Love This Asparagus Pasta
- Light and satisfying. The bright flavors of lemon and olives make sure this delicious asparagus pasta never tastes too rich or heavy. You definitely don't need to add any heavy cream, like most other recipes out there. It's so light and refreshing exactly as it is!
- Very easy to make. While the pasta cooks, saute the fresh asparagus with garlic and red pepper flakes, then add the lemon juice, Parmesan, and pasta water to coat the noodles with a glossy, flavor-filled sauce. Mix everything together and top with a little extra cheese and fresh parsley. Dinner be ready before you know it!
- Loaded with asparagus. This creamy asparagus pasta is the perfect celebration of asparagus season! The asparagus pieces are perfectly cooked and evenly mixed throughout the entire dish, so you'll enjoy this special vegetable in every bite.
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious Asparagus Pasta, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- dry spaghetti - spaghetti is a great option for this recipe, but you can certainly use other types of pasta as well.
- extra virgin olive oil - to saute the asparagus spears.
- asparagus - snap off the woody ends and cut the asparagus into one-inch pieces.
- garlic - for the best flavor, mince fresh garlic cloves.
- red pepper flakes - for a touch of heat.
- lemon juice - add freshly squeezed for a bright, refreshing flavor. White wine works wonderfully, too.
- Parmesan cheese - use freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano for the best flavor. Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano can work well, too.
- reserved pasta water - the starches in the pasta water will thicken the sauce and coat the noodles.
- Kalamata olives - for a salty, briny flavor to balance the asparagus.
- seasonings - season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- fresh parsley - for a garnish. Feel free to use fresh basil instead.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a large pot, a strainer, and a large skillet.
How to Make the Best Asparagus Pasta
- Cook pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add spaghetti noodles and cook until al dente or according to package directions, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve ¼ cup of the hot pasta water in a bowl. Drain pasta well and set aside.
- Sauté asparagus. While the pasta is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add asparagus and cook until crisp tender, about 2-3 minutes.
- Season. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add remaining ingredients. Add lemon juice, Parmesan cheese and reserved pasta water. Stir well until smooth, about 1-2 minute.
- Toss. Add the cooked spaghetti and olives and toss well until evenly mixed.
- Serve. Garnish with parsley and extra parmesan cheese and serve.
Recipe Variations
- Add more lemon. Add some grated lemon zest to give this lemon asparagus pasta recipe an even stronger lemon flavor.
- Make a creamy sauce. If you prefer a rich, creamy sauce, add some heavy cream right at the end.
- Add more spring veggies. This pasta is all about the asparagus, but you can add more spring veggies and make a pasta primavera instead with green peas, zucchini, carrots, and more.
- Serve up extra protein. This delicious recipe makes a great side dish on its own. Turn it into a main dish by adding extra protein, like grilled chicken or shrimp or your favorite plant-based protein.
How to Serve
This asparagus pasta is delicious served on its own, or paired with some of my favorite sides including:
- Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Potato Leek Soup
- Ricotta Crostini with Peas and Mint
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- Antipasto Platter
- Yeast Rolls
Want some more side dish inspiration? Try these 30 Side Dishes for Pasta.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Don't drain the pasta cooking water. This is the secret to the sauce. The starches from the pasta remain in the water after cooking, helping you make a delicious sauce without adding any extra cream.
- Try fresh pasta. Fresh asparagus pairs wonderfully with fresh pasta. Be sure to follow the cooking instructions on the container to avoid overcooking.
- Don't overcook. To avoid overcooking the pasta, follow the timing from the package instructions and taste the pasta to test the texture. It's best to use al dente pasta that still has just a little bit of bite.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How to Reheat
It's easiest to microwave the leftovers for 3-4 minutes or until heated through but for a freshly cooked flavor, warm the pasta in a skillet with a little water and cover to let it steam together. Add some extra cheese and parsley on top, then serve.
How to Freeze
The leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months for longer storage, but the vegetables will not have the same texture after thawing.
FAQ
It's very easy to overcook asparagus, which can give it a soft, soggy texture instead of a nice bite. I prefer to saute it for just 2-3 minutes until it is still crispy but not raw. This will ensure the asparagus stands out against the texture of the pasta and let the fresh asparagus stand out.
Asparagus works well with a variety of flavors, but I almost always pair it with lemon and Parmesan, like this Lemon Parmesan Asparagus or my Lemon Asparagus Soup with Parmesan. The brightness of the lemon really draws out that fresh asparagus
flavor, and the savory, salty flavor of the cheese takes it over the top. I also like to include olives, garlic, and other spring veggies in my favorite asparagus recipes, too.
There are ways to pair asparagus with any type of pasta, but I recommend spaghetti for this recipe. Spaghetti catches the pieces of asparagus and the olives really well, and the long noodles can hold just the right amount of sauce.
More Asparagus Recipes
- How to Cook Asparagus
- Pasta Primavera
- Asparagus Frittata
- Sautéed Asparagus
- Asparagus Tart
- Lemon Asparagus Soup with Parmesan
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Recipe
Asparagus Pasta
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make the most of the spring harvest with this delightfully simple Asparagus Pasta recipe. The pasta is tossed with tender asparagus and briny olives in a lemony sauce, and held together with a generous serving of freshly grated Parmesan. It's a light yet hearty meal, perfect for those spring nights.
Ingredients
- ½ pound (8 ounces) dry spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed (juice from 1 lemon)
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives (or green olives), pitted and sliced
- 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add spaghetti noodles and cook until al dente or according to package directions, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve ¼ cup of the hot pasta water in a bowl. Drain the noodles well and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add asparagus and cook until crisp tender, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add lemon juice, Parmesan cheese and reserved pasta water. Stir well until smooth, about 1-2 minute.
- Add the cooked spaghetti and olives and toss well until evenly mixed.
- Garnish with parsley and extra parmesan cheese and serve.
Notes
How to store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How to reheat: It's easiest to microwave the leftovers for 3-4 minutes or until heated through but for a freshly cooked flavor, warm the pasta in a skillet with a little water and cover to let it steam together. Add some extra cheese and parsley on top, then serve.
How to freeze: The leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months for longer storage, but the vegetables will not have the same texture after thawing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
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Chelsea says
We randomly found some asparagus at the store this week, so I looked for easy but family-friendly meals I could make with it. This recipe it was! Simple to make but so tasty. Everyone loved it and we have no leftovers! Thanks so much!