Description
This creamy pea pasta offers a delicious and incredibly easy weeknight meal, perfect for busy evenings. It delivers satisfying flavors and a smooth, velvety sauce that coats every strand of pasta beautifully. Made with fresh or frozen peas and your favorite pasta, it’s a wholesome and comforting dish the whole family will enjoy. If you’re looking for another comforting pasta dish, try this Creamy Vegan Red Pepper Pasta.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces (340g) dried pasta (penne, fusilli, spaghetti, or linguine)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ¾ cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups frozen peas, thawed
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Add the thawed peas and cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing them to heat through and soften slightly.
- Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Cook gently for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat every strand. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- Fresh peas can be used instead of frozen; simply blanch them quickly before adding to the sauce.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend about half of the cooked peas with a little broth before adding them to the skillet.
Nutrition
- Array