Basil Mint Pesto Pasta with Asparagus and Peas

two plates of pasta with pesto and asparagus

Thanks to Sprouts Farmers' Market for sponsoring this posts

Overheard near the buffet table at a recent potluck supper: First woman, “I’m worried I didn’t bring enough asparagus. It’s nearly gone.” Second woman: “I’m worried I brought too much pasta. Who eats carbs anymore?” “Me! I wanted to say. Me! I eat carbs.” I especially eat carbs when they’re as tasty as this Basil Mint Pesto Pasta with Asparagus and Peas.

Carbs have gotten a bad rap over the years, ut if you look at some of the healthiest populations across the globes, their diets are built largely on carbohydrates. This plate of pasta is a good example of carbs gone right.

Spring Vegetable Pesto Pasta

Indeed this recipe makes a delicious supper that fits into a high-quality diet. Here’s why:

  • It packs in the produce. The recipe calls for two cups of fresh herbs and upwards of four cups of vegetables.
  • Including all that greenery leaves a little less room for a heaping pile of pasta. Translation: it’s a balanced plate that comes in at about 400 calories a serving.
  • You can use whatever stripe of pasta that suits you. Sprouts Farmers’ Market has an excellent selection of standard, gluten-free, and whole grain options, including the organic penne I used in this recipe.
  • The pesto is a source of healthy fats thanks to the extra-virgin olive oil and nuts. This is also part of what makes the dish satisfying and gives it a flavorful kick.

plate of pasta with pesto

The pesto in this recipe is a combination of both fresh basil and mint. It gets whirled in a food processor along with walnuts, garlic, Parmesan and and olive oil then tossed with blanched vegetables and hot pasta. As long as you’re making a batch of pesto, consider doubling the amount. It freezes beautifully and makes for a quick supper the next time around.

If you like Basil Mint Pesto Pasta you might like:

Slow Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta

Spaghetti and Spiralized Zucchini with Lemony Pesto

Summer Pasta with Tomato, Corn, and Zucchini

Pasta with Spring Vegetables, Lemon, and Crème Fraîche

Spaghetti with Shrimp and Pesto by Ellie Krieger

plate of pasta with pesto
5 from 4 votes
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Basil Mint Pesto Pasta with Asparagus, Peas, and Artichokes

A pasta that is as bright, fresh, and green as the first asparagus stalks and pea pods to show up in early spring. The recipe is much heavier in vegetables and lighter in pasta than your typical plate of pasta. The pesto, made of equal parts basil and mint, pulls it all together. 

Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Cook Time 11 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Author Katie Morford

Ingredients

  • 1 packed cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 1 clove peeled garlic
  • 3 tablespoons walnuts
  • 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more to pass at the table
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 bunch fresh asparagus, tough ends snapped off, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3/4 cup English peas, fresh or frozen (defrosted)
  • 2 six-ounce jars marinated artichoke hearts, drained
  • 8 ounces Sprouts organic penne or rotini pasta

Instructions

  1. Fill a medium pot with water and add enough salt that it tastes like the sea. Bring it to a boil over high heat and add the pasta.

  2. While the pasta cooks, put the basil, mint, garlic, walnuts, Parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt in a blender or food processor and run until smooth, scraping down the sides and running again, as needed.

  3. Cook the pasta until nearly done. Add the asparagus and peas to the boiling water and cook another 1 to 2 minutes until the asparagus is just barely tender. Reserve about ¼ cup of pasta water before draining. 

  4. Transfer pasta, asparagus, peas, and drained artichoke hearts to a large bowl. Add as much pesto as desired and stir well. Add a little of the cooking water, if needed, to moisten the pasta.

  5. Serve with Parmesan on the side.

Comments

04.18.2017 at3:28 AM #

Sarah

Hi! I love the sound of this recipe – but the mint is throwing me. Honestly, I’ve never cooked with mint leaves in a main dish. Does it have a “minty” flavor? And if so, is there something I might substitute for part of the mint? I LOVE the idea of pasta so full of veggies, and think this might get my kids to eat asparagus!

04.18.2017 at3:28 AM #

Katie Morford

Hi Sarah,

If you’ve never tried mint in a savory dish, I can see why it seems a little strange. It’s sort of a classic with spring vegetables, which is why I put it in the pesto. I feel like it comes off more as vibrancy than minty. That said, you could easily use Italian parsley in place of some of the mint. 3/4 parsley to 1/4 cup mint or 1/2 and 1/2. Let me know how it goes.

04.15.2018 at8:55 AM #

Kerry

Do you have a suggestion of what I can use in place of peas? Also, do you think this will turn out ok without the nuts? (Allergies)
Thanks!

04.15.2018 at8:55 AM #

Katie Morford

For the nuts, I wonder if you might substitute toasted pumpkin seeds. For the peas, you could use fave beans or snap peas (or you could just increase the amount of asparagus).

04.17.2018 at2:09 PM #

Shera

Is it possible to substitute pecorino for the Parmesan?

04.17.2018 at3:29 PM #

Katie Morford

Absolutely! I love the sharp flavor of Pecorino.
Katie

04.19.2021 at10:02 AM #

Aimee Ward

Made this last night and it was delicious! Used egg noodles and snap peas instead of penne and English peas. Also, couldn’t find mint so just skipped it. Thank you for all the yummy recipes!

04.19.2021 at10:02 AM #

Katie Morford

You’re welcome. I love egg noodles!

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