Herbed Lemony Pasta Salad With Peas

Here's a quick and easy pasta dish you can make with ingredients you probably have at home. Frozen peas are always on hand in our house and add a nice texture. Lemons add a fresh taste, while peppers give a sweet crunch. Parsley is a versatile herb that goes well with anything. This dish makes a great side and can be paired with chicken, salmon, or even a sandwich. It's also a perfect dish to bring to a potluck party.

• 8 oz Small shaped pasta
• ¾ Cup frozen peas
• ½ Cup prepared pesto
• 1 Small lemon, the zest, and juice
• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• ⅛ Cup sweet peppers (2 small peppers)
• 4 Scallions
• Handful of cherry tomatoes
• 3 Stems parsley
• Reserved pasta water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation Time 20 minutes Portions 4-8

1. To begin, follow the instructions on the pasta package to cook it. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set aside 1 cup of the pasta water.
2. Next, add the frozen peas to the pasta.
3. Take 1/2 cup of the prepared pesto and spoon it over the pasta.
4. With a microplane, zest one lemon and add it to the pasta. Then, juice the lemon directly over the pasta.
5. Drizzle olive oil over the pasta and cut the sweet pepper into thin slices.
6. Longways slice the scallions and cut them, including the stems, into 1/4" pieces. Add them to the pasta along with the cherry tomatoes cut in half.
7. Finely chop the parsley. Then, add salt and pepper to your liking and mix the salad. To bring all the ingredients together, add a bit of pasta water. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if needed. Finally, enjoy your delicious dish!