Creamy Lemon Asparagus Pasta – perfect weeknight dish to welcome the Spring! Comes together in under 30 minutes!
Simple dishes are sometimes exactly what you need. Light, flavorful yet still comforting.
With plenty of Spring-y, fresh flavors to shake off the cold, dark winter days.
So let’s talk about a little bit about the main starts of this dish: asparagus and lemons. Both are currently in season and both came in my Door to Door Organics box. I had a feeling they would go well together in a simple pasta dish. I based this recipe on my Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta. I switched the veggies and used only milk.
This is a vegetarian meal, but you can add cooked chopped chicken or serve it along side with roasted chicken breast or piece.
Asparagus – winter vegetable with anti-inflammatory benefits, contains antioxidants, rich in folic acid and fiber (source: Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board). And it’s one of the prettiest vegetables out there.
 Meyer Lemons – a cross between regular lemons and oranges (or mandarins), which gives them more sweeter flavor and less acidic. Named after Frank Nicholas Meyer, a USDA employee who brought a sample to the U.S. from China.
Two beautiful and healthy ingredients that complement each other so well, especially in light pasta dishes. The fresh flavors make this dish perfect for welcoming the Spring.
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- 6 oz bow tie pasta uncooked
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 10 to 15 pieces asparagus spears washed, trimmed, cut into 2"
- 1 clove garlic minced
- zest from half Meyer or regular lemon
- 2 cups 2% milk
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- salt and pepper to taste
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Cook pasta according to the instructions on the package. Drain and keep warm.
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In a large skillet, heat up oil over a medium heat.
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Add asparagus and saute until soft, about 2 to 3 minutes.
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Add garlic and stir it in. Cook for 30 seconds.
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In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together milk and cornstarch.
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Add the milk mixture to the sauteed asparagus, gradually, 1/4 of a cup at a time, stirring constantly. Let the sauce thicken before adding more milk. Repeat until you use all the milk.
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Add lemon zest and cook for 30 seconds.
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Add pasta and toss to coat it with the sauce.
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Serve warm.
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀
Jocelyn says
This dish is gorgeous, and it does shout springtime! 🙂 You’re right about asparagus being one of the prettiest veggies!! Pinned!
Curry and Comfort says
Don’t you love seeing asparagus everywhere? This looks like a perfect dish to use them in. 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
And so pretty too! Thanks, Ramona!
Allie|Baking a Moment says
Ooh, I love lemon + asparagus! This gorgeous dish has me craving spring! Beautiful, Anna- Pinned!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Allie!
Kelly Senyei says
This looks spectacular! Love the simplicity so the ingredients really shine!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Kelly!
Kelly says
This is perfect for spring!! Lemon and asparagus go so well together! That’s actually my favorite way of eating it! Thanks for sharing 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
I love this combo! Thanks, Kelly!
Kate@Diethood says
Literally… I *just* drooled. I LOOOOVE this creamy awesomeness!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Kate! 🙂
Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! says
This recipe is perfect on its own – I wouldn’t change a thing about it! Love, love, love these flavors. Yum!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Kathi!!
cheri says
I absolutely adore asparagus and always on the lookout for new recipes. Just pinned. Nice pics!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Fantastic! Thanks, Cheri!
Elizabeth Waterson says
I absolutely love lemon and asparagus!! I would devour this pasta 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Elizabeth!