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  • Pasta with asparagus and tomatoes
  • Bowl of ingredients: asparagus, cherry tomatoes, ribbon noodles, basil
  • Plated ribbon noodles in a dark bowl served with a fork
  • Close-up of the noodles with parmesan shavings and basil
  • Ribbon noodles with asparagus plated from above beside a fork
  • Hand twirling noodles onto a fork from the bowl
  • Noodles in the pan with asparagus, parmesan and basil
  • Dried herb blend on a marble board with tomatoes and basil
  • Hand holding a dried herb seasoning blend, close-up
  • Freshly tossed noodles with asparagus and tomatoes while cooking
  • Finished pan with shaved cheese, pine nuts and basil
  • Noodles plated on a dark plate from the side with basil

20 APRIL 2019

Mediterranean pasta with asparagus and tomatoes

This post is also available in: deutsch

Last updated 8 June 2026

Prep
20 min
Cook
10 min
Total
30 min
Servings
4 servings

Hello lovelies, I have a new recipe for you, a very simple one but with a lot of flavor: Mediterranean pasta with asparagus and tomatoes. A really tasty pasta doesn’t need many ingredients, just a few selected, aromatic foods that give the dish that certain something. And very important are the right herbs and spices. I am very pleased that I was able to create this dish in collaboration with Knorr Switzerland*.

There is a new line of spices from Knorr Switzerland, all made from 100% natural ingredients. In addition they have no added salt (except umami) and they really get along without "chi-chi". You can actually taste that. I used the Knorr Mediterranean for the pasta with asparagus and tomatoes. The fine herbs such as thyme and rosemary go perfectly with noodles.

Bowl of ingredients: asparagus, cherry tomatoes, ribbon noodles, basil

In the next few weeks I will introduce you to more spices of this line. Beside the mediterranean there are 10 others like porcini, chili, vegetables, tomato, garlic, umami and more, so there is something for every taste.

Plated ribbon noodles in a dark bowl served with a fork

But now to the delicious and simple pasta dish. Garlic, shallots, aromatic tomatoes and fine asparagus tips, you don’t really need much more. Of course you will need to add your favorite pasta noodles, which is entirely up to your preferences. I chose a wide variety of Parpadelle, which was very delicious.

Close-up of the noodles with parmesan shavings and basilRibbon noodles with asparagus plated from above beside a fork

It gets really creamy by using the pasta water, which absorbs the starch, so you don’t have to add any cream. The spoonful of cream fraiche could even be left out. The pasta water also ensures that the sauce and the fine spices stick particularly well to the pasta. This is a great trick if you don’t want heavy sauces and really want to put the flavors of the ingredients and herbs in the foreground.

Hand twirling noodles onto a fork from the bowl

Noodles in the pan with asparagus, parmesan and basil

What I like especially about the Knorr Mediterranean spice in addition to the delicious taste, is that you can really see which ingredients were used. They aren’t too small, you can actually see real pieces of rosemary, thyme and tomatoes. Perfect for adding a Mediterranean touch to a dish.

Dried herb blend on a marble board with tomatoes and basilHand holding a dried herb seasoning blend, close-up

Freshly tossed noodles with asparagus and tomatoes while cooking

Finished pan with shaved cheese, pine nuts and basil

Noodles plated on a dark plate from the side with basilNoodles being served from the pan with a wooden spoon

I hope I was able to make you want this simple and tasty combination. Quick on the table and deliciously mediterranean spiced, this pasta will be well received for sure! I'm really looking forward to surprising you with more dishes with the new Knorr spices.

If you love pasta as much as I do, take a look at my creamy vegan veggie pasta for an easy weeknight dinner. Want something more filling? Try the protein-rich protein pasta with chickpeas and lentils or the colorful pasta with beets and flower sprouts.

**This blog post was created in collaboration with Knorr Switzerland – the recipes are my own. *

Yours, Verena

TIPS

Verena's notes

Tip from my kitchen: save a good splash of the starchy pasta water before draining, it makes the sauce silky and helps it cling to the noodles, so you barely need any crème fraîche. Wide ribbon noodles like pappardelle work beautifully here, but use whatever pasta you love. Roast the pine nuts dry in the pan and watch them closely, they turn golden fast. Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers reheat well the next day with a little water.

Pasta with asparagus and tomatoes

5.0 from 2 votes

Mediterranean pasta with asparagus and tomatoes

Quick mediterranean pasta with green asparagus and tomatoes: vegan, aromatic and on the table in 30 minutes. Made creamy with the simple pasta-water trick and fresh herbs.

  • Course:Main Course
  • Keyword:vegan pasta, green asparagus, tomatoes, mediterranean, quick
  • Prep:20 min
  • Cook:10 min
  • Servings:4 servings
Vegan

INGREDIENTS

  • 250gr9 oz. green asparagus tips or asparagus
  • 350gr12 oz. pasta noodles
  • 300gr10.5 oz. cocktail tomatoes
  • 2garlic cloves
  • 2shallots
  • 2Tbspolive oil
  • 2pinchesof sugar
  • 3tspKnorr Mediterran
  • 150ml3/4 cup pasta water
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 1-2tspcreme fraiche vegan
  • 50gr1/2 cup pine nuts
  • Vegan parmesan
  • Fresh basil

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Roast the pine nuts in a pan without oil
  2. Cut the asparagus tips in half (if you use the whole asparagus, cut off the wooden ends and then cut them in pieces)
  3. Cut the tomatoes in half
  4. Finely chop garlic and shallots and sauté them in olive oil
  5. Add the tomatoes and roast them for about 2-3 minutes
  6. Add the asparagus, 2 pinches of sugar and keep roasting for an additional 5-10 minutes
  7. Season with 3 tsp Knorr Mediterran
  8. Boil the noodles according to the packet instructions and save approx. ¾ cup pasta water
  9. When the noodles are ready, add the pasta water to the tomatoes and asparagus
  10. Boil briefly and add the noodles. Then stir in 1-2 tsp creme fraiche
  11. Season with salt and pepper
  12. Serve with fresh basil, parmesan and pine nuts
calories
520 kcal
GOOD TO KNOW

Frequently asked questions

  • Green asparagus is ideal because it does not need peeling and stays nicely tender-crisp. Use fine asparagus tips, or cut whole asparagus into bite-sized pieces and trim off the woody ends first.

  • The secret is the starchy pasta water. Save about 150 ml before draining and stir it into the tomato-asparagus mixture. The starch binds the sauce and makes it creamy, so a small spoonful of vegan crème fraîche is all you need.

  • Yes. I use vegan parmesan and vegan crème fraîche, so the dish is 100 percent plant-based. Just make sure to choose a herb blend without any animal-derived ingredients.

  • That is up to you. Wide ribbon noodles like pappardelle hold the herby sauce especially well, but penne, spaghetti or fusilli all work beautifully. Simply use your favorite shape.

  • It tastes best made fresh, but you can chop the vegetables and roast the pine nuts in advance so the dish comes together in minutes. Reheat leftovers the next day in a pan with a splash of water.

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