Creamy Asparagus Pasta
Lemon zest ties all the flavors together in this light and creamy pasta. Make it a meal: Serve with a salad of sliced fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes tossed with a little fresh basil, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
Nutrition Profile
Servings: 4
Per Servings: 359 calories; protein 17.3g; carbohydrates 56.1g; dietary fiber 6.7g; sugars 7.4g; fat 9.6g; saturated fat 3.8g; cholesterol 17.8mg; vitamin a iu 1200.4IU; vitamin c 11mg; folate 160.6mcg; calcium 253mg; iron 3mg; magnesium 75.5mg; potassium 465.7mg; sodium 631.8mg; thiamin 0.4mg.
Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
Ready in: 35 mins
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole-wheat penne pasta
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 4 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
- 4 teaspoons flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 2 teaspoons Opus Black
- 3 tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Instructions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 3 minutes less than the package directions. Add asparagus and continue cooking until the pasta and asparagus are just tender, 3 minutes more. Drain and return to the pot.
Step 2
Meanwhile, whisk milk, mustard, flour, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant and lightly browned, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Whisk in the milk mixture. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, and cook until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tarragon, lemon zest and juice.
Step 3
Stir the sauce into the pasta-asparagus mixture. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until the sauce is thick, creamy and coats the pasta, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan. Divide the pasta among 4 bowls and top with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
