Courgette Pea and Pesto Soup (Print Version)

A vibrant spring blend of fresh courgettes, sweet peas, and aromatic basil pesto. Ready in 30 minutes for a light and comforting bowl.

# 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 (approximately 5 ounces)

→ 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 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add diced courgettes and potato to the pan. 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 transfer to a regular blender to purée the soup until smooth.
07 - Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reheat gently over low heat if needed.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and swirl 1 tablespoon of pesto per serving. Top with crème fraîche or Greek yogurt and fresh basil if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's ready faster than you'd think, making weeknight cooking feel manageable even when life gets hectic.
  • The pesto swirl transforms something simple into something that feels restaurant-quality and special.
  • Fresh spring vegetables shine without any fussy techniques getting in the way.
02 -
  • Don't oversalt before blending; seasonings taste stronger once everything is puréed, and you can always add more but can't take it out.
  • If your soup is too thick after blending, thin it with a bit more stock or even hot water rather than accepting a gluey texture.
  • The pesto swirl should happen just before serving so the basil flavor stays bright and doesn't fade into the warm soup.
03 -
  • Make your own pesto if you have fifteen minutes and a food processor—homemade tastes so much brighter than most store-bought versions, and you control how much garlic goes in.
  • Don't be afraid to taste and adjust the seasoning multiple times throughout cooking; season at the beginning, taste again after blending, and add final touches just before serving.
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