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Creamy Sheet Pan Lemon Asparagus Pasta with Sesame Ginger Sauce

creamy sheet pan lemon asparagus pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy creamy pasta dish featuring roasted asparagus and a tangy sesame ginger sauce, perfect for spring and summer meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound), trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 large lemon, zest and juice
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
  • 2 green onions, sliced thinly
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line your sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy cleanup.
  2. Trim the woody ends of the asparagus and cut into 2-inch pieces. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on one side of the sheet pan.
  3. Roast the asparagus for 12-15 minutes until tender but still bright green, tossing gently halfway through.
  4. While asparagus roasts, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente (9-11 minutes). Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
  5. In a mixing bowl, whisk together softened cream cheese, minced garlic, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, grated ginger, lemon zest and juice, and 1 tablespoon olive oil until smooth. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
  6. Return drained pasta to pot or a large bowl. Add roasted asparagus and pour sauce over. Toss gently to coat evenly, adding more pasta water if needed for creamy consistency.
  7. Stir in sliced green onions and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve warm, optionally with an extra lemon wedge.

Notes

Save some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Do not overcrowd asparagus on the sheet pan to ensure roasting instead of steaming. Use fresh ginger for best flavor. If cream cheese is cold, soften it in the microwave for 15 seconds before mixing. For dairy-free, swap cream cheese with vegan cream cheese or coconut cream. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and tamari instead of soy sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon asparagus pasta, creamy pasta, sheet pan recipe, sesame ginger sauce, easy dinner, spring recipe, vegetarian pasta

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