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Asparagus and Leek Lemon Pasta

April 6, 2015 by theeverykitchen@gmail.com 2 Comments

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Asparagus and Leek Lemon Pasta is a family friendly recipe that you can have on the table in half an hour. This no frills weeknight dinner has simple, spring flavors and stays skinny with whole wheat pasta and a light cheese sauce. | theeverykitchen.com
Asparagus and Leek Lemon Pasta is a family friendly recipe that you can have on the table in half an hour. This no frills weeknight dinner has simple, spring flavors and stays skinny with whole wheat pasta and a light cheese sauce.


You asked for it and here it is!

Family friendly.
No frills.
Simple flavors.
On the table in 30.

Asparagus and lemon remind me of spring. And some days spring is here and the rest of the days I’m crossing my fingers and hoping the sun will shine down. But every day right now, at least in my soul, feels like SPRING! And so let’s make spring food in celebration!

Asparagus and Leek Lemon Pasta is a family friendly recipe that you can have on the table in half an hour. This no frills weeknight dinner has simple, spring flavors and stays skinny with whole wheat pasta and a light cheese sauce. | theeverykitchen.com
And, because it’s spring, I went and made this pasta dish as healthy as possible. Yes, you can eat pasta and fit into your skinny shorts. I am living proof! Because this made a lot of pasta — um, enough for a family!! — I’ve had to eat pasta every night for the past week. And yet I still had the courage to go bathing suit shopping just yesterday! And it wasn’t horrible. Promise.

Here’s the secret to skinny pasta:

  1. Use whole wheat pasta for some filling fiber and protein.
  2. Add a thin coating of goat cheese sauce = more flavor, less fat.
  3. Let your taste buds sing a song of sunshine over the lemon and asparagus.

Also, spread the word — NOW HIRING: One fabulous taste-tester that will give me all the greatest compliments in the world on the subjects of my cooking and my fabulousness in general and who is willing to eat lots and lots of pasta.

Asparagus and Leek Lemon Pasta is a family friendly recipe that you can have on the table in half an hour. This no frills weeknight dinner has simple, spring flavors and stays skinny with whole wheat pasta and a light cheese sauce. | theeverykitchen.com

Asparagus and Leek Lemon Pasta is a family friendly recipe that you can have on the table in half an hour. This no frills weeknight dinner has simple, spring flavors and stays skinny with whole wheat pasta and a light cheese sauce. | theeverykitchen.com
5 from 1 vote
Print

Asparagus and Leek Lemon Pasta

Asparagus and Leek Lemon Pasta is a family friendly recipe that you can have on the table in half an hour. This no frills weeknight dinner has simple, spring flavors and stays skinny with whole wheat pasta and a light cheese sauce. 

Course Main
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 370 kcal
Author Danielle Cushing

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound whole grain penne
  • 1 bunch thin asparagus trim and discard bottom 2-3 inches, the remainder cut into 1-inch long pieces
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 leek ends trimmed, with light green and white parts quartered and thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup 2% milk room temperature
  • 1/2 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 4 ounces soft goat cheese I used herbed goat cheese
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • Lemons for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the pasta to a large bowl. Let the water return to a full boil and add the asparagus, cooking until just tender and still bright green, about 3 minutes. Drain the asparagus and add it to the pasta.
  2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the leek and saute until aromatic and soft, about 4 minutes. Whisk in the flour until it disappears, about 1 minute. Add the milk, lemon zest, nutmeg, salt, and pepper and let simmer, whisking occasionally until thick, about 4 minutes. Add the cheeses, whisking until melted and the sauce is smooth.

  3. Pour the sauce over the pasta and asparagus and toss until evenly coated. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if desired and garnish with lemon wedges.

Asparagus and Leek Lemon Pasta is a family friendly recipe that you can have on the table in half an hour. This no frills weeknight dinner has simple, spring flavors and stays skinny with whole wheat pasta and a light cheese sauce. | theeverykitchen.com

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  • Superfood Kale Salad with Chickpeas, Pecans, and FetaSuperfood Kale Salad with Chickpeas, Pecans, and Feta
  • Cranberry-Pecan Spiced Quinoa Breakfast BowlsCranberry-Pecan Spiced Quinoa Breakfast Bowls
  • Golden Beet Couscous SaladGolden Beet Couscous Salad
  • Roasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese SaladRoasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Salad
  • 5-Minute Spring Superfood Salad and Why I’m Taking a Blog Hiatus5-Minute Spring Superfood Salad and Why I’m Taking a Blog Hiatus
  • Poached Eggs with Bacon-Roasted Butternut SquashPoached Eggs with Bacon-Roasted Butternut Squash

Filed Under: dinner, healthy, quick and easy, sugar free, vegetarian Tagged With: asparagus, goat cheese, leeks, lemon, parmesan cheese, parmigiano-reggiano, pasta, penne, spring, whole grain, whole wheat, zest

Previous Post: « White Chocolate Peanut Butter Muddy Buddy Snack Mix
Next Post: Crispy Chickpea and Greek Yogurt Protein Bowls »

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Comments

  1. Jessica @ Nutritioulicious

    August 31, 2015 at 5:12 pm

    oh yum! Love everything about this from the simplicity to the goat cheese to the lemon zest!

    Reply
    • Danielle

      August 31, 2015 at 8:44 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks Jessica – It definitely satisfies that creamy pasta craving!

      Reply

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About Danielle

Danielle is a registered dietitian and the story teller behind The Every Kitchen. Three things that inspire her: Her parent's kitchen table, the way food nurtures relationships and nourishes souls, damn good chocolate chip cookies. EVERY KITCHEN has a story and Danielle shares them, one kitchen at a time. Read More…

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