Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto

Celebrate Spring goodness with a bowl of Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com

Spring!! Spring makes me want pesto for some reason.

Celebrate Spring goodness with a bowl of Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com

Pesto and peas and leeks and leftover Easter candy….

Celebrate Spring goodness with a bowl of Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com

Let’s celebrate all of Spring’s goodness with a bowl of this Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. It’s fortified with sauteed leeks and peas and topped with fresh pea sprouts and a heavy dose of Parmesan. Don’t have peas or pea sprouts? Throw some asparagus in there!

Let’s gather our ingredients.

Celebrate Spring goodness with a bowl of Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com

While the pasta is cooking, we make our pesto in a mini food processor.

I always start with garlic first when I’m making pesto.

Celebrate Spring goodness with a bowl of Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com

In goes the mint, pistachios, lemon juice and olive oil.

Celebrate Spring goodness with a bowl of Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com

PESTO!

Celebrate Spring goodness with a bowl of Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com

Saute leeks (white parts only) in olive oil.

Celebrate Spring goodness with a bowl of Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com

Add peas and cook.

Celebrate Spring goodness with a bowl of Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com

We are ready to assemble.

Celebrate Spring goodness with a bowl of Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com

Stir in the pesto, peas, leeks and some reserve pasta water to make the sauce saucier.

Celebrate Spring goodness with a bowl of Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com

HELLO CHEESE.

Celebrate Spring goodness with a bowl of Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com

Pea shoots!

Celebrate Spring goodness with a bowl of Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com

I love pea shoots in here. SO GOOD!

Celebrate Spring goodness with a bowl of Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com

DINNER IS SERVED.

Celebrate Spring goodness with a bowl of Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com

I’d be happy with a little bit of this for lunch all week!

Penne with Pistachio Mint Pesto

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serves 3-4

for the pesto

  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/3 cup pistachios
  • 2 cups packed mint leaves
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • salt and fresh cracked pepper

In a mini food processor, chop the garlic, followed by pistachios, mint, lemon juice and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

for the pasta

  • 2 leeks (white parts only), thinly sliced
  • 1  1/2 cups fresh peas
  • 1 tablespoon extra olive oil
  • 1 1lb. penne
  • 2 cups fresh pea shoots
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • lemon juice for finishing

Saute leeks in olive oil a medium pan over medium-high heat until softened, about 3 minutes. Add fresh peas and continue cooking until peas have softened, about 4 minutes. Set aside.

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente; drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot. Add the cooking water and the pesto and toss until well coated. Stir in the leeks, peas, pea shoots and Parmesan cheese. Squeeze fresh lemon on the pasta and serve immediately.

 

  • Jenna

    This looks amazing! I’m always on the lookout for interesting pasta ideas as it’s my toddler’s favourite, we had the ziti you posted last week tonight for dinner (loved it & looking forward to leftovers)! It’s autumn here in Sydney & I have major spring produce envy! Will have to figure out a way to make this with autumn/ fall veges so I don’t have to wait so long, maybe with frozen peas & arugula? Actually an addition of cubed roasted pumpkin or sweet potato might be good too. Thank you for the recipe & inspiration!

  • jess larson | plays well with butter

    i never would have thought to add pea shoots to pasta! this is brilliant! xx

  • Ashlyn @ The Pedantic Foodie

    Oh my goodness, this looks so refreshing! I have never tried pea shoots before, I cannot wait to give it a try!

  • Jean

    Mmm…mint and pistachio pesto! Will definitely revisit this when the mint is overtaking my one flower bed later this summer. I foolishly planted 3 tiny plants there 18 years ago and have regretted it ever since as I had no idea how voracious of an invasive species it is. Every year at this time I pull up as much as I can (it’s actually a little therapeutic with the smell) but it always comes back with a vengence, and of course it’s the only plant the deer won’t touch. On the flip side it’s good for mojitos and simple syrups all summer and now this pesto!

  • Rachel

    Ohhhh my. This pasta looks like the perfect spring dish! I’m in the midst of my very first Whole 30 (first week–omg) , but i’m definitely bookmarking this to make as my celebration meal! Thanks for sharing 🙂

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  • Axel

    This was sooo good, I as a bit sceptical about mint pesto not a bif fan of mint, but I was so amazed of the outcome, came out incredible. I actualy prefered it than the normal basil pesto. The fresh peas and the pistachos are sucha perfect combo.

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