A refreshing cold pasta salad featuring homemade basil pesto, sweet peas, arugula, and crunchy toasted pine nuts.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 10.5 oz short pasta such as fusilli, farfalle, or penne
→ Pesto
02 - 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
03 - 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
04 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1 garlic clove
06 - 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1/2 lemon, juiced
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Vegetables and Greens
09 - 1 cup frozen peas
10 - 3 cups baby arugula
11 - 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, extra
12 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Optional Additions
13 - 3.5 oz feta cheese, crumbled
14 - Fresh mint or parsley, chopped
# How-To Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining. Rinse the cooked pasta under cold running water to cool completely and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, blanch frozen peas in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside.
03 - Combine basil, toasted pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Pulse until combined. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until a smooth, creamy paste forms. Adjust seasoning to taste.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, toss cooled pasta with pesto, adding reserved pasta water gradually as needed to achieve a silky consistency.
05 - Fold in blanched peas, arugula, lemon zest, and extra toasted pine nuts. Add crumbled feta and fresh herbs if desired. Toss gently to combine.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
