Description
Silky garlic cream bucatini dances with tender peas and crisp asparagus, creating a spring symphony on your plate. Creamy pasta lovers will swoon over this elegant Italian-inspired dish that brings seasonal freshness to your dining experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound (226 grams) bucatini pasta
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1.5 cups asparagus (ends trimmed and sliced diagonally)
- 1 heaping cup frozen peas
Aromatic and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 4 cloves garlic (grated)
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) butter
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Lemon juice to taste
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Breadcrumbs (golden crispies)
Instructions
- Boil bucatini in salted water until perfectly al dente, following package instructions. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.
- Heat butter in a spacious skillet over medium temperature until melted and bubbling.
- Sauté asparagus for approximately 4-5 minutes, ensuring vibrant green color and slight tenderness.
- Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes until aromatic and golden.
- Pour vegetable broth and heavy cream into the skillet, reducing heat to create a gentle simmer.
- Allow sauce to thicken gradually, then fold in frozen peas, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Enhance flavor profile by adding fresh lemon juice, zest, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper.
- Gently incorporate cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, tossing thoroughly to ensure complete coating.
- Maintain low heat for 2-3 minutes, allowing pasta to absorb sauce and develop deeper flavors.
- For crispy topping, toast panko breadcrumbs in olive oil until golden brown.
- Season breadcrumbs with Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Garnish pasta with seasoned breadcrumbs and optional protein like rotisserie chicken or sautéed shrimp.
Notes
- Toast breadcrumbs carefully to prevent burning, watching the skillet closely and stirring frequently for even golden color.
- Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lighter, lower-fat version that maintains creamy texture.
- Swap frozen peas with fresh seasonal vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers to customize the dish based on market availability.
- Add protein flexibility by incorporating rotisserie chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crispy tofu for vegetarian options that complement the creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg