Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces, reserving tips separately. Cook asparagus stems in 5 to 6 quarts boiling water with 2 tablespoons salt until very tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a colander, reserving cooking water in pot, and rinse under cold water. Drain asparagus well and transfer to a food processor or blender.
Cook asparagus tips in same boiling water until just tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer with slotted spoon to colander, reserving boiling water in pot, and rinse under cold water. Drain tips well.
Purée asparagus stems with zest, oil, and 1/2 cup asparagus cooking water. Transfer sauce to a 4-quart saucepan.
Cook pasta in boiling asparagus cooking water until it still offers considerable resistance to the tooth, around three fourths of the recommended cooking time. Reserve 2 cups cooking water and drain pasta.
Add pasta, asparagus tips, and 1/2 cup reserved water to asparagus sauce and cook over high heat, stirring, 3 to 5 minutes, or until pasta is almost al dente and sauce coats pasta. Add more cooking water, 1/4 cup at a time, until sauce coats pasta but is a little loose (the cheese will thicken it slightly).
Stir in Parmigiano-Reggiano and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring, until cheese is melted.
Serve immediately.

Kitchen-Friendly View

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving Per 100 g

Amount Per 1 Serving
Calories	385.77 Kcal (1615 kJ)
Calories from fat	245.77 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	27.31g	42%
Cholesterol	26.62mg	9%
Sodium	180.01mg	8%
Potassium	229.17mg	5%
Total Carbs	15.87g	5%
Sugars	4.54g	18%
Dietary Fiber	6.8g	27%
Protein	16.56g	33%
Vitamin C	6.8mg	11%
Iron	2.3mg	13%
Calcium	27.2mg	3%

Amount Per 100 g
Calories	141.65 Kcal (593 kJ)
Calories from fat	90.24 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	10.03g	42%
Cholesterol	9.77mg	9%
Sodium	66.1mg	8%
Potassium	84.15mg	5%
Total Carbs	5.83g	5%
Sugars	1.67g	18%
Dietary Fiber	2.5g	27%
Protein	6.08g	33%
Vitamin C	2.5mg	11%
Iron	0.8mg	13%
Calcium	10mg	3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Find out how many calories should you eat.

Tastes

salty
savory
bitter
sweet

Search recipes
by ingredients

Construct & Analyze
Your Recipe

Analyze

Try this similar recipes

Pasta with Arugula and Prosciutto

Penne (preferably ridged), Sliced prosciutto, chopped and 4 more..
Penne With Asparagus-lemon Sauce

Fresh asparagus, Water, Sea salt, Lemon , zest of, minced and 4 more..
Penne with Sausage and Tomato Sauce

Extra-virgin olive oil and 8 more..
Springtime Asparagus Risotto

Asparagus spears, Butter, Extra-virgin olive oil and 8 more..
Roasted Asparagus and Tomato Penne Salad with Goat Cheese

Uncooked penne or mostaccioli (tube-shaped pasta) and 13 more..
Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus with Citrus Dip

Asparagus spears and 8 more..
Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Vegetables

Extra-virgin olive oil, divided, Red bell peppers, diced and 9 more..
Spargel - White Asparagus With Easy Hollandaise Sauce

Extra virgin olive oil (or unsalted butter) and 13 more..
Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Vegetables

Extra virgin olive oil, divided, Red bell peppers, diced and 9 more..
Lemon-Garlic Asparagus With Red Pepper

Fresh asparagus and 5 more..
Asparagus, Strawberry and Mint Salad

Asparagus spears , cut into 2-inch pieces, Lemon zest and 7 more..
Asparagus and Butterhead Lettuce Salad

Asparagus (about 1 lb.) and 10 more..
Parmesan Pepper Popcorn

Extra-virgin olive oil, Hot plain popcorn and 3 more..
Asparagus Torta

Asparagus, cleaned and trimmed, Eggs, Virgin olive oil and 4 more..