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I feel like it’s spring!!
Yesterday it was still light out at seven and the sun shined all day. It was awesome.
Of course, tomorrow it will probably snow, but I can feel it, spring is on its way. Hooray!
Asparagus has been on sale here for the last week, so despite spring still being  a week away I am jumping ahead a little. What’s new, right? I mean, I just can’t help it. I get so excited over new seasons. New seasons mean new foods!
That’s reason for excitement if you ask me.
Well, that and I am trying to get in all the veggies I can in the next few days. The meat-eater is back on his way out and for good this time. Creighton has been planning a move out to CO (he has worked in Cleveland the past 3 years). Unfortunately, Creighton injured himself badly this weekend. He broke his neck in three places on his C-7.
And don’t ask how he broke it. Let’s just say he’s not the brightest when it comes to trying to keep up with some of the other bros in extreme sports. As my dad said “maybe he should stick to chess.”
Thankfully, he is going to be fine, but he had us all pretty scared Saturday night. He is very lucky that he is not going to need surgery, which was not what they told us when he was life flighted from Pocahontas Memorial Hospital in WV (yes I am serious) to a Level One Trauma Center in Roanoke. Hopefully he will be coming home in a day or two.
So of course I can’t I disappoint my meat-eater brother, all of his favorites will be coming his way.
But back to Spring. Spring is all about a return of color in our foods.
Spring food seems simpler to me. A little lighter and a little faster, because hey, we all want to be outside if the weather is a little warmer. Yahoo!
Over the weekend there was actually so much sun that the snow melted off the grill. Result, grilled asparagus!
Finally. I feel like it has snowed the entire winter this year. I could not be more ready for non stop sunshine.
So, this pasta is super simple, obviously, as the title states.
The fresh asparagus and lemon scream spring and the creamy feta and mascarpone cream sauce are just the thing to compliment those flavors.
A little brightness and a little creamy comfort.
Perfect dinner for a Monday. Especially the Monday after the clocks are pushed forward one hour and we are all wanting that hour back (without taking our new-found extra hour of sunlight of course).
Extra bonus –Â lemons are packed with vitamin C and cancer fighting limonoids to help keep our immune system strong, as well as many other great benefits.
So come on guys, this dish will save you… in more ways than one!
Simple Lemony Feta and Mascarpone Pasta with Grilled Asparagus.
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 601 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound long cut pasta I used Diada De Laurentiis Pasta from Target
- 1 large bunch asparagus ends trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and fresh black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese may sub cream cheese if needed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups milk I used 2%
- 8 ounces feta cheese finely crumbled or grated
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
- pinch of crushed red pepper optional
- 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Boil the past according to package directions until al dente. Drain.
- Preheat your grill to high heat. Place the asparagus in a baking dish, coat with olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper over them. Grill the asparagus spears for 5-10 minutes, until nicely charred and just fork tender, turning them every few minutes so that they brown relatively evenly. Remove and chop into thirds.
- Alternately, you may roast the asparagus by preheating the oven to 400 degrees.
- Place the asparagus in a roasting pan or on a baking baking sheet and toss with the 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until tender and crisp. Remove and chop into thirds.
- Heat a large skillet with high sides over medium-high heat, add the butter, cream, milk, and mascarpone and feta cheeses. Bring to a boil and simmer until smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, crushed red pepper and a good pinch of pepper, whisking until the cheese has fully melted. Simmer the sauce 3-5 minutes until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the pasta and asparagus to the sauce and toss well. Cook another 1-2 minutes to warm through. Add the parsley and toss. Serve immediately with fresh feta or parmesan.
Notes
*If your skillet is not big enough to toss the pasta in transfer everything to a large pot or serving bowl and toss well.
It’s pasta and cheese. What could be better on a Monday? OK, end it with some chocolate and you are golden.
Thank goodness your brother is going to be OK. Love this simple meal.
Thank you, Meagan!
Wow! Tieghan, this is really great combination, you should start thinking about a cookbook.
Haha! Thank you, Cheri!
What a fantastic combo of flavors, Tieghan! This dish just screams “SPRING!!!”
Thank you so much, Kelly!
Wow! So glad your brother is going to be ok. That must have been so scary for your family. And this pasta looks amazing! Asparagus just went on sale here too and I stocked up! So this pasta is definitely happening here soon. 🙂
Thanks Sarah! And yay for asparagus!
you put asparagus in pasta and I STILL want to eat it – that’s talent right there sista!
Haha! Thank you!
I have asparagus and mascarpone in my refrigerator! I am so making this tonight. I love the extra light. I didn’t need my flashlight to grill yesterday!
Thank you, Liz!
So glad you brother will be ok! Scary stuff!
This pasta is pure perfection! Great flavors!
Thanks Kelli!
That’s a lot of delicious ingredients in this recipe, Tieghan. Nice and fresh!
Thanks Sandy!
This looks like spring noodle heaven!
Thanks Steph!
Oh my! This sounds like such a nice meal – love it!
Thanks Katrina!
Oh my gosh! So happy to hear that your brother is ok, that is so scary. Your weekend must have been incredibly stressful!!
On a more positive note, this pasta looks delicious!
Thanks Laura!
That’s so scary! I’m glad your brother is ok….but it must have been an awful night for y’all waiting to hear back. Hugs.
I’m also so excited for asparagus season. Loving the char you got on those stalks.
Thanks Annie!
How scary it must have been for all of you when you heard of your brother’s accident. He is very fortunate he is going to be ok. That just sounds horrible.
My husband would like this recipe.
He is so fortunate!
Thanks Charlotte!
I’m glad Creighton is going to be okay. Your dad is right, get him a chess board pronto. And lemon and mascarpone is a match made in heaven.
Haha! Agree! Thanks!
Oh man! I am SO glad your brother is ok! That’s scary.
This pasta looks incredibly edible! I love how simple it is, but so fresh..perfect for spring! I agree…it feels like spring. Time to bust out the ol’ grill-er-oo!
Pinned!
Thanks Taylor!