The week just isn’t complete without at least one pasta night. If you agree, you’re in luck! Our chefs put together a dish that’s sure to curb the most ferocious of carb cravings. In this recipe you’ll find penne studded with tender asparagus, fresh tomatoes, and swirls of garlic herb butter. The dreamy dish is finished off with a sprinkle of Parmesan and your new secret culinary weapon: an almond, chili, and lemon panko topping. It’s so deliciously easy, don’t be surprised when you find yourself making this dish again and again.
The quantities provided above are averages only.
Produced in a facility that processes eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.
6 ounce
Penne Pasta
(Contains Wheat)
6 ounce
Asparagus
1 unit
Roma Tomato
¼ ounce
Chives
1 unit
Lemon
¼ cup
Panko Breadcrumbs
(Contains Wheat)
½ ounce
Almonds
(Contains Tree Nuts)
1 teaspoon
Chili Flakes
2 tablespoon
Garlic Herb Butter
(Contains Milk)
¼ cup
Parmesan Cheese
(Contains Milk)
3 teaspoon
Olive Oil
2 tablespoon
Butter
(Contains Milk)
Salt
Pepper
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add penne to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water (1 cup for 4 servings), then drain.
Meanwhile, wash and dry all produce. Trim and discard woody bottom ends from asparagus; cut stalks crosswise into 1-inchlong pieces. Dice tomato. Mince chives. Zest and quarter lemon. Melt 1 TBSP plain butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add panko and almonds; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until golden brown, 3-4 minutes. Turn off heat. Add a pinch of lemon zest and chili flakes. Transfer to a small bowl.
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in same pan over medium-high heat. Add asparagus and cook, stirring often, until bright green and tender, 2-4 minutes. Add tomato and cook, stirring, until slightly softened, 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Add penne, garlic herb butter, half the Parmesan (you’ll use the rest later), and ⅓ cup reserved pasta cooking water (½ cup for 4 servings) to pan with veggies; stir until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper.
Add 1 TBSP plain butter (2 TBSP for 4 servings), half the chives, remaining lemon zest, and as many remaining chili flakes as you like to pan. Cook, stirring, until everything is thoroughly coated in sauce, 1-2 minutes. (TIP: If needed, stir in more reserved pasta cooking water a splash at a time.) Turn off heat; stir in a squeeze of lemon juice to taste. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Divide pasta between bowls. Sprinkle with panko mixture and remaining Parmesan. Drizzle each bowl with olive oil. Garnish with remaining chives. Serve with remaining lemon wedges on the side.