Sweet Pea Pesto Pasta
Sweet Pea Pesto Pasta is a delightful dish that brings the vibrant flavors of spring to your table. This easy-to-make recipe features tender pasta coated in a luscious, creamy pesto sauce made from fresh sweet peas and aromatic basil. Perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests, each bite bursts with flavor and nutrition, making it a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Boiling/Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (whole wheat recommended)
- 1 cup fresh sweet peas (or frozen, thawed)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot and add pasta, cooking until al dente (about 8-10 minutes).
- Prepare the peas: Blanch fresh peas in boiling water for 2 minutes, then shock in ice water.
- Create the pesto: In a food processor, combine cooked peas, basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, and lemon juice. Blend while drizzling in olive oil until smooth.
- Combine: Drain pasta (reserve some cooking water) and toss with pesto in a large bowl until well coated. Add reserved pasta water as needed for creaminess.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (200g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: For added texture, leave some small pea pieces when blending the pesto. Swap sweet peas for spinach or arugula for a different twist. Enhance with more toasted pine nuts or Parmesan on top before serving.