Creamy Green Pea Pesto Pasta

4.8
(6)
4 Reviews

Mint and peas are a natural pairing in this creamy pasta dish. It works well as a vegetarian main dish or can be divided into smaller portions as a side dish. If you have pine nuts on hand, sprinkle them over the top for a little crunch. If you like your pesto to be totally smooth, process it a little longer, scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go. Parmesan cheese grated fresh with a microplane grater will give you the best results.

By
Liv Dansky
Liv Dansky
Liv Dansky
Liv Dansky has worked with Dotdash Meredith since 2019 as a recipe tester and developer and, more recently, as a writer for the commerce team. Her work can be found across brands like Food & Wine, Southern Living, Real Simple, Eating Well, and Serious Eats.
EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on June 14, 2024
Reviewed by Dietitian
Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD
Emily Lachtrupp Headshot
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Tested by
EatingWell Test Kitchen
Eating Well Bio Page
Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen

The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen
Overhead view of a bowl of Creamy Green Pea Pesto Pasta recipe
Photo:

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
6
Nutrition Profile:
Sesame-Free Nut-Free Soy-Free High-Fiber Vegetarian High-Protein Egg-Free
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Overhead view of a ingredients in various bowls for Creamy Green Pea Pesto Pasta recipe

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
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Ingredients

  • 12 ounces whole-wheat fusilli

  • 1 ½ cups finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided

  • 3 teaspoons grated lemon zest, divided

  • 2 cups frozen peas, thawed

  • 1 ½ cups loosely packed fresh mint leaves

  • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice

  • ½ teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta; cook according to package directions, until al dente. Reserve 3/4 cup cooking water. Drain the pasta; rinse under cold water. Transfer to a large bowl.

    Overhead view of a pasta in a colander and pasta water in a measuring cup for Creamy Green Pea Pesto Pasta recipe

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

  2. Add 1/2 cup Parmesan and 1 teaspoon lemon zest to a small bowl. With clean hands, rub the Parmesan and zest together until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

    Overhead view of a hand mixing parmesan and lemon zest in a small bowl for Creamy Green Pea Pesto Pasta recipe

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

  3. Place peas, mint, oil, lemon juice, salt and the remaining 1 cup Parmesan and 2 teaspoons lemon zest in a food processor. Process until mostly smooth, 20 to 30 seconds.

    Overhead view of a pesto ingredients ready to blend in a food processor for Creamy Green Pea Pesto Pasta recipe

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

  4. Add the pesto and the reserved 3/4 cup cooking water to the pasta; toss until coated and creamy. Divide among 6 bowls; top with the lemon-Parmesan mixture.

    Overhead view of pasta mixed with the pesto from Creamy Green Pea Pesto Pasta recipe

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, August 2023

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

461 Calories
21g Fat
53g Carbs
15g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size about 1 1/4 cups
Calories 461
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 53g 19%
Dietary Fiber 8g 29%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 15g 30%
Total Fat 21g 27%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 17mg 6%
Vitamin A 1387IU 28%
Vitamin C 14mg 16%
Vitamin D 4IU 1%
Vitamin E 2mg 13%
Folate 34mcg 9%
Vitamin K 13mcg 11%
Sodium 615mg 27%
Calcium 218mg 17%
Iron 3mg 17%
Magnesium 24mg 6%
Potassium 370mg 8%
Zinc 1mg 9%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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