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Easy One Pot Pesto Pasta

Easy One Pot Pesto Pasta

This flavorful pasta is quick and easy to make, and healthy to boot!
Prep Time 18 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz orecchiette pasta or other type that holds pesto well
  • 8 oz frozen peas
  • 1 cup pesto
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
  • 2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • fresh ground pepper, flaky sea salt, and/or fried eggs, for topping

Instructions
 

  • Bring about 6 cups of water to boil. Once it is boiling, add two big pinches salt. Pour in your pasta. Set the timer for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. While the pasta cooks, grate the Parmesan cheese. Measure 1/2 cup to stir into the pasta and set aside 1/4 cup to sprinkle on top.
  • When the timer beeps, pour in 8 oz. of frozen peas. Set the timer for 4 minutes. Stir a couple of times. After 4 minutes, check the pasta for doneness. You may need to cook it another couple of minutes. When it is finished reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. Drain the pasta and peas in a colander. Add it back to the pot you cooked it in.
  • Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil, or so, over the pasta and peas. Add 1cup of pesto. Toss to combine, adding the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen things up and help the sauce coat the pasta evenly. Add the 1/2 cup of Parmesan and toss to combine. If you would like to serve this with eggs, cover your pasta and place a towel over top of the lid to keep it warm. Otherwise, serve the pasta with extra Parmesan, olive oil, flaky salt and pepper. 
Keyword Ancient Grains, Thrifty, Vegetarian
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