small potatoes with green peas

These cheesy pesto potatoes have class and character! Served warm or cold, they look and smell absolutely gorgeous. Classic Italian ingredients meet in this dish that’s a little tart, sweet and cheesy. Tonight I’m serving these cheesy pesto potatoes with andouille sausages and a simple mixed green salad.

jar of caper berries
Caper berries add crunch and acidity.

The steps to making these potatoes are easy to follow. The ingredients can be found in most regular supermarkets (or specialty stores for caper berries). The combination of all these wonderful flavors elevates the potato to a whole new level. It’s like these buds are wearing tuxedos and going to a gala! You can add more adventure by squirting a little sri racha into the dish for heat and color.

bowl of oil and vinegar pesto
Garlic vinegar pesto; a simple dressing with lots of character.
bowl of boiled potatoes with green peas
Adding the dressing to the potatoes when still warm, help absorb the flavor better.

I prefer using fresh parmesan than pre-grated one as the quality of the cheese can be quite different. I’ve previously notice that pre-grated parmesan doesn’t melt well (it ruined my pasta carbonara a couple times) and that’s apparently because it’s a lower grade of cheese. High quality cheese melts evenly and doesn’t leave a trail of oil; same theory goes for pizzas! Interesting isn’t it?

bowl of peas and mashed potatoes
Lightly mash the potatoes to add creaminess to the texture.

You can serve these beautiful cheesy pesto potatoes as an appetizer or a side. They’re also fun to bring at barbecues or backyard parties. The potatoes look stunning on a black plate (doesn’t photograph as well though, which is why I chose white for these pics) and can keep refrigerated for 3-4 days. Picture them next to a nice piece of steak. Hungry yet?

bowl of parmesan, peas and potatoes
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Cheesy Green Peas & Potatoes

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  • Author: Caroline Phelps
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 people 1x
  • Category: Side
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

Half mashed cheesy potatoes with green peas. Yummy!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 10 fingerling potatoes, sliced in half
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan
  • 10 leaves basil
  • 1/3 cup frozen or fresh green pea
  • 2 tablespoons chives, chopped

Instructions

  1. Boil potatoes for about 10-15 minutes until they are soft enough to mash, but still firm.
  2. If you’re using frozen green peas, thaw them in hot water and microwave for 40 seconds.
  3. In a blender, add the garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, kosher salt and basil and pulse until the ingredients turn into a paste.
  4. In a large bowl, add potatoes and pour the dressing over. The potatoes can be used hot or cold, though they absorb the flavor better when they’re warm.
  5. Lightly mash the potatoes so they’re a little creamy but we still want to leave a good amount of chunks. Add green peas, parmesan and mix well.
  6. Sprinkle chives and serve warm or cold.

Notes

Keep the leftovers in a storage container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 441
  • Sugar: 4.2g
  • Sodium: 362mg
  • Fat: 10.2g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 76.8g
  • Fiber: 9.5g
  • Protein: 13.3g
  • Cholesterol: 7.2mg
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Caroline Caron Phelps

Meet The Author: Caroline Phelps

Caroline Caron-Phelps is a recipe creator, food blogger, and photographer. She showcases delicious, authentic Asian recipes, especially Japanese, Korean, and Chinese, with beautiful photography, easy-to-follow instructions, videos, and practical recipe variations. Caroline has been featured on Bon Appetit, Shape Magazine, Self, Today Show, and more.

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