Neezy Peazy Lunch
Discover the simplicity and vibrant flavors of "Neezy Peazy Lunch," a quick and wholesome pasta dish perfect for busy weekdays. This recipe combines tender penne pasta with sweet, vibrant frozen peas, zesty lemon juice and zest, aromatic garlic, and fresh basil leaves for a refreshing burst of summer in every bite. Topped with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a hint of optional chili flakes for a touch of heat, this 25-minute meal is both satisfying and light. With minimal prep and versatile ingredients, it's the ultimate crowd-pleaser for lunch or dinner. Perfect for pasta lovers looking for easy, flavorful comfort food, this dish is sure to become a go-to in your weekly rotation!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 200 grams Penne pasta
- 1 cup Frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 cloves Garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 10 leaves Basil leaves
- 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoons Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 8 cups Water (for boiling pasta)
Instructions
Bring the water to a boil in a large pot, add a pinch of salt, and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
While the pasta cooks, finely chop the garlic cloves and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Add the frozen peas to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until they are tender and bright green.
Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and basil leaves (tear them gently by hand before adding) into the skillet. Mix well to release the fragrant aromatics.
Transfer the drained pasta into the skillet, tossing everything together gently. If the mixture looks a little dry, add the reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top and season with salt, black pepper, and the optional crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
Serve immediately, garnished with a few extra basil leaves and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
387 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 17.7 g | 23% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.7 g | 24% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 9 mg | 3% | |
| Sodium | 661 mg | 29% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 44.8 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.9 g | 21% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.9 g | ||
| Protein | 14.2 g | 28% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 148 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 269 mg | 6% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
