The flavours of lemon, dill, and asparagus are always perfect together and bring a spring freshness to this Lemon Pappardelle Asparagus Pasta
What's Pappardelle?
Pappardelle pasta is a thin, wide, ribbon-like pasta that's especially satisfying to dig into. The silky, slippery long noodles are perfect for sauces and plus, fun to eat. In fact, the name, Pappardelle comes from the verb "pappare", which means to "gobble up" (Wikipedia). And gobble up we did. These noodles were the perfect pasta to use in this Lemon Pappardelle Asparagus Pasta. I tossed the asparagus and noodles in a lemony cream sauce and fresh dill.
Cooking Perfect Asparagus
I'm excited that local asparagus is finally showing up in markets here, one of the first crops of spring. The flavour of fresh locally grown asparagus is way better than the imported ones. Really, there's no comparison. The only thing better is the foraged asparagus that we can find here. Coming across a patch of wild asparagus while on a hike is always a treat. These cultivated spears were fresh and perfect with hardly any woodiness to the stems. They only needed about 2 minutes in the pot at the end of the pasta cooking time for that perfect tender crispness that we want. Properly cooked asparagus is perfection. Overcooked asparagus, as with any fresh veggie, is well, far from it.
Vegetable Cooking Tip:
Whenever I cook a pasta dish with veggies, I put the vegetables in the pot with the boiling pasta in the last couple of cooking minutes. Why get out another pot when you don't need to, right? I'm all for saving steps and pot washing in the kitchen. My husband, aka clean up guy, appreciates the heck out of me for that.
Using Low Fat Greek Yogurt For A Healthier, But Still Creamy Dish
I like to use fat-free Greek or Balkan style yogurt in recipes. The yogurt is a perfect sub for cream or sour cream. You don't notice a difference in taste or creaminess, but you leave out all that fat. And who needs extra fat?
If you love pasta, you may also love Salmon Fettuccine Alfredo or Chicken Stroganoff, or for a heartier option, check out Kale & Sausage Pasta.
Lemon Pappardelle Pasta & Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces.
- 8 oz pappardelle pasta
- ½ cup non-fat Greek yogurt
- juice and zest of one large lemon
- ¼ cup fresh dill chopped
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta 5 minutes
- Add asparagus to the boiling pasta and cook for a further 2 minutes
- Scoop out a cup of pasta water and reserve
- Drain pasta and asparagus in a colander, and keep aside.
- In the pot, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice and zest, and dill
- Add pasta and asparagus back into the pot and toss with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water to desired consistency.
- Serve hot
Dina
Colleen, my kind of food...again..
What is a Balkan style yogurt that you mentioned here? Where do you get it? Always learning something new on your blog, thank you for that and for the wonderful food inspiration.
Colleen
Hi Dina, Balkan style yogurt is a really thick and creamy. I buy the Astro brand, but I first had it in Iceland. 🙂
Janie
I made it, it was awesome. Wonderful. Thanks for sharing! Over the top if you make the pasta from scratch.
Colleen
So glad to hear that it turned out well for you, Janie! Thanks so much for letting me know, and I know, from scratch pasta takes it to a whole new level!
Alexandra | Occasionally Eggs
Pappardelle is the best type of noodle!! This dish is so perfect for the time of year, I love it. Not just the veggies you're using but how fast and simple it is, too, when we want to start spending more time outside but still need some warm food!
Colleen
Thanks Alexandra! I love pappardelle, too, and this dish is indeed a quick and simple one, but still delicious. My favourite kind. 🙂
Dee
I think Fiddleheads would be great in this recipe also, and they are now in the stores.
Colleen
What a great idea, Dee! I agree, fiddle heads would be so good in this dish. Thanks for the delicious idea! ?
Dana Sandonato
This looks like a big plate of seasonal freshness, right here. I'm a big sucker for lemony pasta AND asparagus. So I am *totally* into this. I also love your use of Greek yogurt. It's my go-to when I want something creamy without wanting to feel the guilt 😉 Haha
Colleen
Thanks Dana! I know, who needs guilt, right?