Pasta and pesto has to be one of the quickest and easiest dishes to make for a speedy lunch or supper. It is delicious, but I do find that I can quickly become hungry after eating it, as it really does not contain that much protein.
In a twist on the classic dish of spaghetti and pesto, I’ve made a thick pea pesto, and served it with a wholewheat spelt pasta, adding protein, some of your 5 a day and lowering the glycemic load of the dish, hopefully keeping you fuller for longer. My pesto also contains seeds, rather than nuts, and if you leave off the optional goat’s cheese topping then the dish is also vegan.
I have used a can of Batchelors marrowfat “Bigga” peas as the base of my pesto – a frugal store cupboard ingredient which effortlessly blends up to make a chunky pesto, which counts towards your 5 a day. You could also add a dollop or two of fat free Greek yogurt to this recipe, for a creamier pasta sauce, or even serve with crudities as a pea-licious dip to share with friends and family!
- 1 tbs sunflower seeds
- 1 tbs pumpkin seeds
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tbs olive oil - good quality
- 1 can peas - drained and rinsed I used Batchelors Marrowfat "Bigga"
- 25 g basil
- Juice and zest one lemon
- Salt & Pepper to season
- 150 g Spaghetti cooked as per the packet instructions I used a wholegrain spelt
- 20 g spft goa'ts cheese - optional
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Place the seeds into a food processor, blender or mini chopper and whizz until roughly ground. Add the garlic and the oil and whizz again.
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Add the peas (reserve a spoonful for garnish), basil and lemon juice and zest and whizz until you have a chunky paste, thin with water if needed and season to taste.
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Cook the pasta as per the packet instructions, drain (reserve some of the cooking water), add the pesto to the pan with a little pasta water to thin it, stir and allow to heat, add the freshly cooked pasta and reserved peas and mix well.
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Serve immediately topped with little pieces of goat's cheese and some more basil leaves.
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Recipe commissioned by Batchelors. All opinions our own.
Dan
That is a beautiful looking dish. And an interesting change from the usual basil pesto. I must try it!
Helen
Let me know how you get on!
Chelsea Wilkerson
Spelt pasta is a new one to me. How does it taste compared to regular and wholewheat pasta?
Helen
The spelt pasta is nuttier than regular pasta, and being wholegrain contains more fibre.
Claire
Now, this looks and sounds so delicious, I’m definitely going to have to try it!
Helen
So quick and easy Claire. I love store cupboard recipe!
Sarah Bailey
I have to admit I do love a good spaghetti – I wouldn’t have thought of teaming it with peas though, interesting. x
Helen
It makes a great filling dish!
StressedMum
We love pesto in our house, not heard of pea pesto before, but sounds really nice, I am going to have to give this a try although my daughter probably wouldn’t eat it as she hates peas x
Helen
With them all whizzed up she might not notice that they are actually peas?
whatlauraloves
I really love peas so this is a recipe that I would love to try for myself. Marrowfats are my absolute fave! xxx
Helen
I hope you enjoy it Laura. I found the tinned marrowfat peas an excellent ingredient.
Sally - My Custard Pie
This is actually genius. Making it for KP who adores pesto but also craves marrowfat peas. Brilliant
Helen
That is such a sterotypical ex-pat craving! I hope he enjoys it.
Jo of Jo's Kitchen
I must try this dish! I don’t like nuts so pesto is generally out for me so this is fantastic!
Helen
I love using seeds in pesto, rather than nuts!
Ana De-Jesus
Who knew that tinned peas could look so good I like the use of pesto and it looks like a quick and easy pasta dish.
Helen
I really enjoyed the tinned peas, and they make such a good ingredient.
Lorraine
I’m a pesto fanatic! I will use it on just about anything. Never thought of using peas for pesto.
Helen
It adds protein and counts towards your 5 a day! Win win!
Lynn
That looks interesting, thank you. We love peas here.
Helen
I love peas too. Super impressed with the texture and flavour of the tinned marrowfat ones.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
This looks fab, I love quick and easy pestos. My mum adores marrowfat peas, I’ll have to share this with her!
Helen
So super quick and easy!
Anna, Don't Cramp My Style
Interesting dish! I love your photography and styling! great skills!
Helen
Thanks Anna!
Aimee Foster
This looks absolutely delicious! I love spaghetti and pesto and I’m definitely going to try this recipe as I’m sure the whole family would love it too x
Helen
Enjoy it Aimee!
dominika
this looks so delicious, I might prepare it for work, since it doesnt take that long, too! thanks for sharing
Dominika
Helen
I hope you enjoy it! super quick and easy!
All That I'm Eating
I love marrowfat peas! This recipe sounds so good Helen, perfect for a speedy midweek meal.
Helen
We loved this, so quick to make.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
Pea pesto sounds so good – really creative. Sadly I hardly ever eat peas because of Dave’s allergies, but I am going to have to make this for myself when he is away.
Helen
A pea allergy is really sad, but I suppose that peas don’t creep into lots of things so from a practical point of view it is not so bad. Enjoy them.
Charlie @ The Kitchen Shed
What a brilliant idea! We love pesto in our house but find the same problem with the lack of protein in a simple meal like pesto and pasta. This looks really tasty and I love the idea of using the tinned peas too!
Helen
I was so impressed with the tinned peas, all the flavour of fresh peas and that lovely smooth texture of lentils.