Pasta with Sweet Pea and Basil Pesto
This creamy no-cook pesto pasta blends sweet peas, fresh spinach and basil with Parmesan, walnuts, garlic and olive oil for a fresh, nutty flavor. Tossed with pasta and topped with chopped tomatoes and extra Parmesan, it makes a quick vegetarian main dish for an easy weeknight meal; shrimp or chicken can be added for a heartier version.
- Prep5 mins
- Cook20 mins
- Serves6
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Pasta with Sweet Pea and Basil Pesto, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 56 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 17 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 54 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 68
- Heart Health
- 81
- Metabolic
- 57
- Digestive
- 42
- Inflammatory
- 41
- Performance
- 47
- General Wellness
- 1
Cook pasta according to package directions.
- 2
Meanwhile, place peas, spinach, basil, Parmesan, olive oil, walnuts, garlic, and salt and pepper in a blender or food processor.
- 3
Two minutes before pasta is done, ladle out hot pasta cooking water and add it to the blender. Pulse until smooth, scraping the sides and adding additional pasta water if needed.
- 4
When pasta is done, drain lightly and return it to the pot. Add the sauce and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese and tomatoes, if desired.
- Calories 482.55 kcal High 24%
- Protein 18.69 g Good Source 37%
- Carbohydrate 67.05 g 24%
- Total Fat 16.91 g High 22%
- Saturated Fat 3.17 g Moderate 16%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 10.54 mg Low Source 4%
- Sodium 189.53 mg Moderate 8%
- Dietary Fiber 8.05 g Good Source 29%
- Total Sugars 3.1 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 250.99 mg Moderate 19%
- Iron 2.82 mg Moderate 16%
- Potassium 584.77 mg Moderate 12%
- Vitamin A 236.61 mcg Good Source 26%
- Vitamin C 22.73 mg Good Source 25%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Tree Nuts 🌰
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Garlic 🧄
About This Recipe
Pasta with Sweet Pea and Basil Pesto is made with 14 ingredients and serves 6. It takes about 25 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Chopped Walnuts, Dry Pasta, and Fresh Basil. Each serving provides about 482.55 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Pasta with Sweet Pea and Basil Pesto made of?
- The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Chopped Walnuts, Dry Pasta, Fresh Basil, Garlic. The full list of 14 is above.
- How long does it take to make Pasta with Sweet Pea and Basil Pesto?
- About 25 mins in total: 5 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 482.55 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Pasta with Sweet Pea and Basil Pesto easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 14 ingredients and 4 steps.
- Is Pasta with Sweet Pea and Basil Pesto healthy?
- Pasta with Sweet Pea and Basil Pesto has an easyChef Pro health score of 47/100. Per serving, it provides 482.55 calories and 18.69 g of protein, or 37% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 189.53 mg (8% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 3.17 g (16% of the Daily Value). It contains Tree Nuts, Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Tomatoes and Garlic, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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