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Spring Pea Pesto Pasta

Spring pea pesto pasta with creamy sauce and fresh lemon wedge

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A vibrant and quick pasta dish where blanched peas are blended into a fresh, creamy pesto. This recipe turns simple ingredients into a special meal that tastes like spring, ready in about 15 minutes. It’s a perfect healthy weeknight dinner that is both comforting and full of flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen green peas
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/3 cup raw walnuts or pine nuts
  • 1 large clove garlic, roughly chopped
  • Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • A big handful of fresh basil or mint leaves (optional)
  • 12 ounces (340g) pasta of choice (e.g., linguine, fettuccine)
  • Reserved pasta cooking water

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the peas and cook for 2 minutes if frozen or 1 minute if fresh, until bright green. Immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Keep the boiling water for the pasta.
  2. Add the pasta to the same pot of boiling water and cook according to package directions for al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
  3. While the pasta cooks, make the pesto. In a food processor, combine the blanched peas, Parmesan, nuts, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pulse a few times to break down.
  4. With the motor running, slowly stream in the olive oil until a thick, slightly chunky paste forms. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  5. Drain the pasta and return it to the warm pot. Add the spring pea pesto and about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water.
  6. Toss vigorously over low heat for a minute until the pasta is coated and the sauce is creamy, adding more pasta water a splash at a time if needed.
  7. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan, black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

Blanching the peas is essential for vibrant color and sweet flavor. Use reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. For a nut-free version, use toasted sunflower seeds. The pesto can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

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