If you’ve ever tried Domino’s pasta primavera, you know it’s a comforting bowl of creamy, cheesy goodness packed with fresh vegetables and tender chicken. The good news? You don’t need to wait for delivery to enjoy it. With this homemade version of the domino’s pasta primavera recipe, you can recreate the same flavors in your own kitchen in less time than it takes for the delivery guy to arrive. This recipe keeps all the delicious richness you love while letting you control the ingredients, making it a healthier, budget-friendly alternative that tastes just as satisfying.
Table of Contents
Equipment
- large skillet
- pasta pot
- grill pan or outdoor grill
- Cutting board
- chef’s knife
- wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 1 lb grilled chicken breast, sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup bell peppers, assorted colors, sliced
- 1 cup spinach or zucchini
- 1/2 cup onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Boil the penne pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- Grill the chicken breasts with light seasoning until golden brown. Slice into strips and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach. Sauté until tender-crisp.
- Add marinara, butter, and cream to the vegetables. Stir in Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Simmer until sauce thickens.
- Toss cooked pasta, grilled chicken, and reserved pasta water into the sauce. Stir to combine evenly.
- Top with fresh basil and more Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
Nutrition
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The best part about making a domino’s pasta primavera recipe at home is that you get the same creamy, veggie-packed comfort food without the delivery wait. Whether you’re a weeknight cook or a weekend meal-prepper, this dish fits perfectly into your routine. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Fast & Efficient: This domino’s pasta primavera recipe is ready in under 10 minutes, giving you a quick, family-friendly meal that tastes just like the restaurant favorite.
- Actually Healthy: It’s built around lean protein and fresh vegetables, with lighter sauce options that still bring the same rich flavor found in meals like Texas Roadhouse Portobello Mushroom Chicken.
- Extremely Versatile: The domino’s pasta primavera recipe isn’t just a main dish—it works as a cold salad for lunch or stuffed into wraps for meal prep.
- Budget-Friendly: Using pasta, pantry staples, and seasonal vegetables makes this recipe cheaper than delivery but just as satisfying as classics like Smoked Mac and Cheese.
This recipe gives you all the taste you crave with the flexibility and affordability that makes it worth keeping on your regular menu.
Ingredients Needed
One of the best things about recreating the domino’s pasta primavera recipe is how simple the ingredient list is. You’ll find most of these items already in your pantry or fridge, making this dish accessible while still tasting restaurant-quality.
For the Pasta Base:
- Penne pasta (Domino’s classic choice, but spaghetti works too)
- Olive oil for sautéing
- Fresh garlic, finely minced
For the Sauce:
- Marinara or a tomato-cream blend
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Heavy cream (optional for extra richness)
- Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Italian seasoning and fresh basil
For the Protein & Vegetables:
- Grilled chicken breast or thighs
- Mushrooms, thinly sliced
- Bell peppers in red, yellow, or green
- Spinach or zucchini for a fresh green bite
- Onions, sautéed until golden
This domino’s pasta primavera recipe is flexible, so feel free to swap chicken for shrimp or tofu. You can even bring in the freshness of Italian-inspired flavors found in recipes like Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden or pair it with a side dish such as Bonefish Grill Lily’s Chicken for a full dinner spread.
By sticking close to these core ingredients, you’ll create a dish that mirrors Domino’s signature pasta while leaving plenty of room for your own creative twists.
How to Make Domino’s Pasta Primavera Recipe
The magic of a good domino’s pasta primavera recipe lies in balancing creamy sauce with crisp vegetables and tender protein. By breaking it into simple steps, you’ll see how easy it is to bring this dish to life in your own kitchen.
- Prep the Pasta: Start by boiling penne pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside, saving a splash of pasta water to help thicken the sauce later.
- Grill the Chicken: For juicy results, lightly season and grill chicken breasts until golden. You’ll get that same flavor Domino’s is known for, similar to the tenderness in Juicy Grilled Chicken Strips.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a skillet, warm olive oil, then add garlic, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and spinach. Cook until tender but not soggy. The secret is to keep a little bite in the veggies, just like the original domino’s pasta primavera recipe.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in marinara, butter, and cream. Add Parmesan and Italian seasoning, letting everything simmer until thick and velvety.
- Combine Everything: Toss pasta, sauce, vegetables, and chicken together. If the sauce feels too thick, stir in a splash of pasta water for silky consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Garnish with basil and extra Parmesan. Serve piping hot with sides inspired by comfort foods like Applebee’s Grilled Chicken Sandwich or garlic bread for a filling meal.
With these steps, your domino’s pasta primavera recipe turns out creamy, flavorful, and every bit as comforting as the restaurant version—without waiting for delivery.
The Secret to Juiciness: Brining
One overlooked tip for making the domino’s pasta primavera recipe taste even better at home is brining your chicken before cooking. A simple saltwater solution works wonders by allowing the meat to absorb and retain more moisture. Through osmosis, the salt penetrates the fibers of the chicken, which means that even after grilling, the protein stays tender and juicy.
Brining doesn’t need to be complicated—mix water, kosher salt, and a touch of sugar, then soak the chicken for about 30 minutes before cooking. You’ll notice the same kind of succulent texture found in grilled classics like Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Panda Express or flavorful comfort foods such as Smoked Mac and Cheese.
Adding this step elevates the entire dish. Instead of dry, bland chicken, your domino’s pasta primavera recipe will have juicy bites of protein that complement the creamy sauce and crisp vegetables perfectly. Once you try it, brining may become your go-to secret for every chicken recipe you make.
Serving and Storage Tips
The best way to enjoy a domino’s pasta primavera recipe is fresh out of the pan, when the sauce is still creamy and the vegetables hold their bite. For presentation, serve it in individual oven-safe dishes topped with melted Parmesan for that same baked finish Domino’s is known for. Pair it with garlic bread or a light side salad for balance, or go heartier by serving it alongside comfort foods like Bonefish Grill Lily’s Chicken.
When it comes to storage, this pasta keeps well in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, warm it gently on the stove with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce without drying it out. If you’re preparing the domino’s pasta primavera recipe ahead of time, store the pasta and sauce separately to maintain the best texture.
For longer storage, freeze portions in airtight containers for up to two months. Reheat directly from frozen, stirring occasionally until heated through. That way, you’ll always have a quick, homemade alternative to ordering takeout, just as satisfying as dishes like Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden.
With these tips, your pasta stays flavorful, creamy, and just as comforting whether you eat it fresh or days later.
Helpful Notes
The domino’s pasta primavera recipe is already simple and versatile, but a few extra tips can take it from good to unforgettable. First, don’t overcook your vegetables—keeping a little crunch gives the pasta more texture and keeps it closer to Domino’s signature style. Another helpful trick is to always reserve a bit of pasta water; the starch helps the sauce cling beautifully to every bite.
If you’d like to mix things up, try swapping chicken for shrimp or even tofu. For a lighter variation, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream or load up on extra vegetables like zucchini and spinach. This way, the domino’s pasta primavera recipe feels healthier without losing flavor. If you’re aiming for ultimate comfort, pair it with a cheesy side like Smoked Mac and Cheese for a hearty family dinner.
Gluten-free pasta works well here too—just keep an eye on cooking times, since some varieties get mushy quickly. For extra flavor depth, try grilling the chicken like you would in recipes such as Juicy Grilled Chicken Strips.
With these notes, your domino’s pasta primavera recipe becomes a dish you can adapt endlessly, making it fit for quick meals, dinner parties, or even meal prep.
Conclusion
There’s something special about bringing a restaurant classic to your own kitchen, and the domino’s pasta primavera recipe proves just how simple and satisfying that can be. With creamy sauce, fresh vegetables, and juicy chicken, this dish strikes the perfect balance between comfort and freshness. What makes it even better is that you control the ingredients, which means you can keep it lighter, make it gluten-free, or load it up with extra vegetables to suit your taste.
Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or prepping ahead for busy days, the domino’s pasta primavera recipe always delivers on flavor and convenience. It’s quick, versatile, and budget-friendly—everything you want in a go-to pasta dish.
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment and a star rating to share your results, and don’t forget to spread the love on Pinterest or Facebook so more people can enjoy this classic pasta at home. What variation of the domino’s pasta primavera recipe did you try? Let us know below!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in pasta primavera at Domino’s?
Domino’s pasta primavera typically includes penne pasta, grilled chicken, fresh vegetables like mushrooms, onions, and peppers, and a creamy tomato-based sauce topped with melted cheese. When you make a domino’s pasta primavera recipe at home, you can easily customize the vegetables or swap the protein to suit your taste.
What is pasta primavera sauce made of?
The sauce in the domino’s pasta primavera recipe is a creamy tomato blend. It usually starts with marinara or tomato sauce, enriched with butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese, then seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs. This gives it a rich but balanced flavor.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when making pasta primavera?
The most common mistakes are overcooking the vegetables, letting the pasta become mushy, or adding too much sauce. To keep your domino’s pasta primavera recipe tasting authentic, sauté veggies lightly, cook pasta al dente, and use the sauce to coat rather than drown the dish.
What kind of pasta does Domino’s use?
Domino’s uses penne pasta in their primavera dishes because it holds the creamy sauce well. For your homemade domino’s pasta primavera recipe, you can stick with penne or try spaghetti, fettuccine, or even gluten-free options.
What sauce do Domino’s usually use?
Domino’s primavera pasta sauce is typically a creamy marinara made with tomato base, butter, Parmesan, and seasonings. Recreating this sauce at home gives your domino’s pasta primavera recipe that same signature flavor.
Is Domino’s pasta baked in the oven?
Yes, Domino’s pasta dishes are oven-baked with a cheesy topping that gets bubbly and golden. For your homemade domino’s pasta primavera recipe, you can achieve the same effect by broiling it briefly in the oven before serving.
