Linguini with Pea Pesto

Brighten up your pasta night with this vibrant and creamy Linguini with Pea Pesto, a delightful twist on classic pesto pasta. This dish combines tender linguini with a velvety pea-based sauce made from sweet green peas, fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, and a zesty hint of lemon. The pea pesto not only delivers a burst of garden-fresh flavor but also brings a stunning, natural green hue to your plate. Finished with whole peas for a pop of texture and a touch of reserved pasta water for the perfect consistency, this recipe is both wholesome and satisfying. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's an easy yet elegant meal perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining. Garnish with extra Parmesan and olive oil for a truly irresistible dish that celebrates the best of simple, seasonal ingredients!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces linguini
• 1.5 cups frozen peas
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.25 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 0.25 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 0.5 cup reserved pasta water

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguini and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the linguini and set it aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add the frozen peas and cook for 2–3 minutes, just until tender. Drain the peas and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

Step 3

In a food processor, combine 1 cup of cooked peas (reserving the remaining 1/2 cup for later), basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, garlic cloves, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 4

Return the cooked linguini to the large pot or a mixing bowl. Add the pea pesto and toss to evenly coat the pasta. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 5

Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup of whole peas for texture. Toss gently to combine.

Step 6

Serve the pasta warm, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(874.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1620.1

Total Fat 91.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.3g
Cholesterol 40mg	0%
Sodium 3073.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 150.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.8g	0%
Total Sugars 16.9g
Protein 54.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 597.1mg	0%
Iron 11.7mg	0%
Potassium 1054.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.2%

Protein: 13.2%

Carbs: 36.6%