Weeknight • Pasta
Speedy Lemon Pesto Pasta with Peas
This vibrant and zesty pasta dish comes together in minutes, combining bright lemon, herbaceous pesto, and sweet peas.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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When you need a burst of fresh flavor without spending all evening in the kitchen, this Speedy Lemon Pesto Pasta with Peas is your go-to! It's incredibly simple, yet delivers a beautiful balance of zesty lemon, aromatic basil pesto, and tender sweet peas. Fast, fresh, and fantastically delicious – what's not to love?
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 12 oz pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or penne work well)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tbsp)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream or pasta water
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Step 1
Cook the pasta according to package directions in well-salted water. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the frozen peas to the boiling water with the pasta.
Step 2
Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and peas, then return them to the pot.
Step 3
Add the prepared basil pesto, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of heavy cream or reserved pasta water to the pot with the pasta and peas. Toss well to coat.
Step 4
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little more reserved pasta water (a tablespoon at a time) until it reaches your desired creamy consistency.
Step 5
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. The Parmesan and pesto are already salty, so taste before adding more.
Step 6
Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired.
Tips
- Add cooked shredded chicken or pan-seared shrimp for a complete meal.
- A handful of cherry tomatoes, halved, would add a nice pop of color and sweetness.
- Toast some pine nuts and sprinkle over the top for added crunch and flavor.
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