Courgette Pea and Pesto Soup (Printable)

Vibrant spring soup with courgettes, peas, and basil pesto swirl

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 3 medium courgettes (zucchini), diced
05 - 1 2/3 cups frozen or fresh peas
06 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced

→ Liquids

07 - 4 cups vegetable stock

→ Seasoning

08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

10 - 4 tablespoons basil pesto
11 - 2 tablespoons crème fraîche or Greek yogurt, optional
12 - Fresh basil leaves, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add diced courgettes and potato. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Pour in vegetable stock, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
05 - Add peas and continue simmering for 5 minutes until all vegetables are tender.
06 - Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender or regular blender to purée soup until smooth.
07 - Season with salt and pepper. Reheat gently if needed.
08 - Ladle into bowls and swirl in 1 tablespoon pesto per serving. Top with crème fraîche or Greek yogurt and fresh basil if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It is a quick and easy 30-minute meal perfect for busy weekdays.
  • The recipe is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free (when using appropriate pesto).
  • The addition of pesto provides a deep, complex flavor with minimal effort.
02 -
  • Don't overcook the peas—adding them only for the last 5 minutes of simmering ensures they keep their bright green color and sweet flavor.
  • Using a homemade pesto made from fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, and garlic will provide a significantly more robust flavor than store-bought versions.
  • Always double-check labels if you have allergies, as pesto typically contains nuts and milk products.
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