Pasta Primavera Alfredo

The following recipe was made during my Summer Produce cooking class. You can read about it and get other recipes HERE.

Pasta Primavera Alfredo – this is also an easy recipe that took little effort to make. We chopped up a handful of the random vegetables including broccoli, english cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, and green onions. We sauted the veggies in a little cooking spray, added 3 cloves of minced garlic and about 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper to taste. Once everything was softened, we added 2 cups of cooked macaroni. One of the guests suggested using a prepared alfredo sauce to tie everything together so we added about 1 cup of alfredo sauce. After it was all heated through, it was done!

Pasta Primavera Alfredo

Pasta Primavera Alfredo is a classic Italian-American dish, a creamy pasta dish with a luscious base of Alfredo sauce combined with a medley of vegetables, all tossed in linguini or spaghetti, for a mouth-watering creamy and decadent meal. It’s a meal the whole family can enjoy.

Origin and History of Pasta Primavera Alfredo

The origin of this dish is hazy, but some experts have attributed it to a chef named Alfredo di Lelio, who may or may not have been the first chef to combine a cream sauce with vegetables and pasta. Regardless, it’s clear that the Alfredo sauce used in this dish is, at least partially, derived from what was traditionally known as “Fettuccine Alfredo.” Fettuccine Alfredo is believed to have been created in 1947, when chef Alfredo di Lelio opened his own restaurant in Rome, Italy. He served a freshly prepared dish of Fettuccine pasta with Parmesan cheese and butter. As the dish gained in popularity, di Lelio eventually added cream to the dish and called it “Fettuccine Alfredo alla Panna.” Meanwhile, in the United States, the dish was adapted to something very different when the restaurant Kraft out of California, began selling a boxed pasta dinner called “American Chop Suey”. It consisted of macaroni noodles, canned tomato sauce and beef. Eventually, the recipe was changed to include cream and vegetables, creating the dish now known as “Pasta Primavera Alfredo”. Since then, the dish has become particularly popular in the US, with countless variations including different sauces, vegetables, herbs, proteins, and more.

What is Alfredo Sauce?

The Alfredo sauce used in this dish is a classic Italian white sauce, usually made with butter, cream, and Parmesian cheese. The best and creamiest Alfredo sauces are usually made with heavy cream, butter, garlic, and Parmesan, all blended together with a bit of salt and pepper. Alfredo sauce, otherwise known as “fettuccine Alfredo,” has been enjoyed in Italy for over 100 years. It was originally created in Rome when chef Alfredo di Lelio combined butter and Parmesan cheese and served it over fresh-made fettuccine pasta. Modern-day Alfredo sauces may use ingredients like garlic, vegetables, heavy cream, and spices and herbs. They can range from as simple as a combination of butter and Parmesan, to a rich and creamy sauce with garlic and cream.

Preparing and Serving Pasta Primavera Alfredo

Pasta Primavera Alfredo can be an easy and delicious dinner option. To prepare it, simply cook linguine or spaghetti according to the directions on the package. Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables of your choice, such as asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, and mushrooms. For the sauce, whisk together heavy cream, butter, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Once the pasta is cooked, add it to the sauce and toss in the vegetables. Serve the Pasta Primavera Alfredo with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Pasta Primavera Alfredo?
A. Pasta Primavera Alfredo is a classic Italian-American dish, where a creamy Alfredo sauce is combined with a medley of vegetables, all tossed in linguini or spaghetti, for a mouth-watering creamy and decadent meal.

Q. Where did it come from?
A. The origin of this dish is a bit hazy, but some experts have attributed it to a chef named Alfredo di Lelio, who may or may not have been the first chef to combine a cream sauce with vegetables and pasta.

Q. What is Alfredo sauce?
A. Alfredo sauce is a classic Italian white sauce, usually made with butter, cream and Parmesian cheese. The best and creamiest Alfredo sauces are usually made with heavy cream, butter, garlic, and Parmesan, all blended together with a bit of salt and pepper.

Q. How do you make Pasta Primavera Alfredo?
A. To prepare Pasta Primavera Alfredo, cook linguine or spaghetti according to the directions on the package. Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables of your choice. For the sauce, whisk together heavy cream, butter, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Once the pasta is cooked, add it to the sauce and toss in the vegetables. Serve with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

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