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Quick Date Night Pasta with Asparagus and Cashew Parmesan

If you want a romantic pasta recipe, but you don’t want to spend all evening in the kitchen: You’ll love this Quick Date Night Pasta with Asparagus and Cashew Parmesan!

Quick Date Night Pasta with Asparagus from top

When I think of Date Night… I think of pasta – especially pasta with red sauce. Roasted seasonal veggies (hello asparagus, it’s so nice to have you here!) tossed in a delicious tomato sauce with penne, sprinkled with fresh oregano and homemade cashew parmesan. Maybe a glass of red wine. And maybe the weather is nice enough to eat it on the balcony. Maybe it’s even dark enough for candles. That’s a perfect romantic dinner for me.

While I love cooking excessively and spending lots of time in the kitchen – I don’t necessarily need that on Date Night. This vegan pasta with asparagus and cashew parmesan can be made in just a couple of minutes. While the pasta cooks, you can prepare the sauce and everything will be ready just in time.

Quick Date Night Pasta with Asparagus and Cashew Parmesan from top

Quick Date Night Pasta with Asparagus and Cashew Parmesan from the side

More Vegan Date Night Recipes

I hope you will enjoy this recipe as much as I did! Let me know if you give it a try!

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Cheers, Bianca

Quick Date Night Pasta with Asparagus from top

Quick Date Night Pasta with Asparagus and Cashew Parmesan

Bianca from Elephantastic Vegan
If you want a romantic pasta recipe, but you don't want to spend all evening in the kitchen: You'll love this Quick Date Night Pasta with Asparagus and Cashew Parmesan.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian, Vegan
Servings 2 people
Calories 936 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cups egg-free penne
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 8 green asparagus
  • 1/3 zucchini
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt + more to taste
  • 15 cherry tomatoes , halved
  • 1 1/2 cup tomato purée/passata
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • fresh oregano for garnish
  • Homemade Cashew Parmesan

Instructions
 

  • Boil the penne in a large pot with water. 
  • Meanwhile, peel and chop the onion. Remove the woody ends off the asparagus and peel the 1/3 lower end. Cut the asparagus in bite-sized chunks. Cut the zucchini in cubes. 
  • In a large pan, heat the olive oil and toss in the chopped onion. Let it cook on medium to high heat until the onion is translucent. Then add in the asparagus and zucchini. Season with salt and let it cook while stirring occasionally until the asparagus softens. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and let it cook until they're warm.
  • Reduce the heat and add in the tomato passata and dried herbs. Add more salt to taste. 
  • Once the sauce is hot, the penne should be done by now. Drain them and add them to the pan. Give everything a good mix. Sprinkle with fresh oregano. Serve and sprinkle with Cashew Parmesan!

Nutrition

Calories: 936kcalCarbohydrates: 176gProtein: 35gFat: 8gSodium: 655mgPotassium: 1395mgFiber: 24gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 2175IUVitamin C: 61.4mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 6.3mg
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Recipe Rating




Deeksha

Sunday 26th of July 2020

This pasta looks so perfect and tasty. Thank you so much for the recipe.

Natalie | Feasting on Fruit

Thursday 25th of May 2017

Date night with me, myself, and ALL the cheesy pasta!! 😂 But I actually totally agree, something about pasta and Italian-inpsired flavors does feel like the perfect date night meal. And fresh veggies added in sounds so wonderfully spring-y too!

Bianca

Saturday 27th of May 2017

Ever since watching the second season of 'Master of None', I've been making so much pasta, pizza and lasagna :D I love Italian food. <3

Strength and Sunshine

Tuesday 23rd of May 2017

Pasta does seem to be the first thing that comes to mind ;) This dish looks delicious! I'll just have to have an impromptu date might myself ;)

Bianca

Saturday 27th of May 2017

Thank you, Rebecca! Having a big bowl of comforting pasta is just as delicious alone or with family or friends :)