Lemony Linguine with Spring Vegetables

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Instead of cooking pasta in a huge pot of water, here we use just 3 1/2 cups for this one-pot pasta recipe. When the pasta is al dente, most of the water has evaporated and the bit that's left is thickened with the starch that cooks off the pasta. With just a few add-ins like lemon and Parmesan cheese, you have a delicious silky sauce. Want to use up your veggie stash in the freezer? Swap in 8 ounces frozen spinach for fresh.

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  • You only need one pot and 30 minutes to make this easy Lemony Linguine recipe.
  • Whole-wheat pasta provides extra fiber and protein for better gut and immune health.
  • Using frozen vegetables saves preparation time and maintains peak ripeness and nutrients.

Our Lemony Linguine with Spring Vegetables is an easy and fresh one-pot meal ready in 30 minutes—perfect for lunch or a quick weeknight meal. It is fiber-packed with peas, artichoke hearts, spinach and whole-wheat pasta. There is no carb left behind with this recipe—as the pasta cooks, the starchy water remains and becomes the base and thickener for the bright, lemony, creamy sauce—a great meal to fuel your workouts. You'll get the most delicious depth of umami flavor at the end from the Parmesan cheese. It couldn't be easier; you'll love that it's light and loaded with nutrients. Keep reading for our expert tips on cooking technique, smart ingredient substitutions and more.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • We recommend using linguine or fettuccine, as the delicious sauce easily clings to the larger surface area of these flat pasta types. However, you can use other pasta shapes if you prefer.
  • Using frozen vegetables significantly reduces preparation time, and we appreciate that they are harvested and frozen at their peak ripeness. Plus, having bags of frozen veggies readily available is convenient. Just check the packaging for any added salt, sugar or other ingredients.
  • We prefer mature spinach for a couple of reasons: its cooking time aligns well with other vegetables, and it offers more flavor.
  • This recipe calls for Parmesan cheese, which is typically made with animal rennet. However, many supermarkets offer vegetarian-friendly versions that would work just as well in this recipe.

Nutrition Notes

  • We often choose whole-wheat pasta for dishes at EatingWell. While there's nothing wrong with choosing white pasta, the whole-wheat variety will provide you with more fiber and protein. Fiber is essential for maintaining good gut, heart and immune health. Protein is important for everyone, regardless of age, as it helps to maintain muscle mass and that can be beneficial for your metabolic rate and help you burn more calories throughout the day.
  • Artichoke hearts are the center, meaty part of the artichoke. They bring a little bit of plant protein and fiber. If you are using a whole artichoke, you could include the artichoke meat from the stem and base of the petals, which deliver more protein and fiber, as well as vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, magnesium, folate and phosphorous.
  • Peas are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, which provide fuel for energy. They're also rich in plant protein, fiber, vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin K, potassium and manganese. These nutrients, together with the antioxidants in peas, can help reduce the risk of disease, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. The fiber and protein in peas help manage blood sugar and are beneficial for digestion.
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Ingredients

  • 8 ounces whole-wheat linguine or fettuccine

  • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • cups water

  • 1 9-ounce package frozen artichoke hearts

  • 6 cups chopped mature spinach

  • 2 cups peas, fresh or frozen

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

  • ¼ cup half-and-half

  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest

  • 3-4 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

  1. Combine 8 ounces pasta, 4 cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large pot. Add 3 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil, stirring frequently, for 8 minutes.

  2. Stir in 9 ounces artichokes, 6 cups spinach and 2 cups peas and cook until the pasta is tender and the water has almost evaporated, 2 to 4 minutes more.

  3. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup cheese, 1/4 cup half-and-half, 1 tablespoon lemon zest and 3 to 4 tablespoons lemon juice to taste. Let stand, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Serve sprinkled with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What can you do with extra half-and-half?

    You can use half-and-half as you would any creamer or milk. We like it in hot or iced coffee, hot chocolate and cocktails. But you can also add it to scrambled eggs, quiche and mashed potatoes. It's perfect for making bread pudding. According to the USDA Foodkeeper app, you should consume half-and-half within 3 to 4 days after purchase. When it goes bad, it will start to smell or separate. If you see signs of this, toss it.

  • How many lemons do I need?

    For this recipe, you'll need 3 to 4 tablespoons of lemon juice. One medium lemon typically yields 2 to 3 tablespoons, but it's a good idea to have at least 2 lemons on hand just in case. Any extra lemon can also be used for serving. To maximize juice extraction, press down on the lemon while rolling it on a countertop, or microwave it for about 10 to 15 seconds. A Microplane is an excellent tool for zesting the lemon.

  • What are the best Parmesan cheese substitutes?

    If you prefer to substitute another cheese for Parmesan, we suggest Asiago, Cheddar, Comté, Gruyère, halloumi or Pecorino Romano. Of course, the sauce's flavor and consistency will be slightly different but still tasty.

  • What's the best way to store leftovers?

    Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and try to consume them within a day or two. The upside: Leftovers will be extra tasty as the pasta is infused with the sauce longer. The downside: If you store pasta with sauce longer than a couple of days, it will get mushy. Reheat leftovers in a microwave in short bursts or in a skillet over a low heat. If the sauce is thick, you can loosen it up with a little water or olive oil.

  • What should I serve with Lemony Linguine with Spring Vegetables?

    This recipe is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs well with rustic bread for soaking up any leftover sauce. A simple side salad is always a great addition, especially one that includes plenty of leafy greens and a light dressing. Consider options like our Massaged Kale Salad, Citrus-Arugula Salad or Basic Green Salad with Vinaigrette.

EatingWell Magazine, March/April 2018

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

372 Calories
7g Fat
64g Carbs
18g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 3/4 cups
Calories 372
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 64g 23%
Dietary Fiber 15g 53%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 18g 36%
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 14mg 5%
Vitamin A 5193IU 104%
Vitamin C 50mg 55%
Folate 273mcg 68%
Sodium 581mg 25%
Calcium 234mg 18%
Iron 5mg 25%
Magnesium 163mg 39%
Potassium 931mg 20%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.