Courgette Pea Pesto Soup (Printable)

Fresh courgettes and sweet peas blended with aromatic basil pesto for a vibrant spring soup.

# 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 (store-bought or homemade)
11 - 2 tablespoons crème fraîche or Greek yogurt (optional)
12 - Fresh basil leaves (optional)

# Preparation steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
03 - Add diced courgettes and potato to the saucepan. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to lightly sweat the vegetables.
04 - Pour in vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, partially covered, until potatoes begin to soften.
05 - Stir in peas and continue simmering for 5 minutes until all vegetables are completely tender and easily pierced with a fork.
06 - Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender or transfer to a regular blender to purée until completely smooth and velvety.
07 - Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Reheat gently if necessary. Ladle into bowls and swirl 1 tablespoon of pesto into each serving. Garnish with crème fraîche or Greek yogurt and fresh basil leaves if desired.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • The pesto swirl turns an everyday soup into something that feels like you spent hours, when really it took thirty minutes
  • Frozen peas mean you can make this vibrant bowl even when fresh produce feels miles away
02 -
  • Blend in batches if using a regular blender, hot soup expands dramatically and I have learned this the messy way
  • The soup continues to thicken as it sits, so keep a splash of extra stock handy if reheating leftovers the next day
03 -
  • Make a double batch and freeze half in portions for those evenings when cooking feels impossible
  • Reserve a few whole peas before blending to scatter over each bowl for texture and visual appeal
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