Pasta with Peas
The ultimate comfort food, Pasta with Peas is a creamy and satisfying dish that's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. With fresh ingredients and simple preparation, it’s a meal that everyone will love. Try making it tonight!
Equipment
- 3 qt saucepan
- Blender
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dried pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 10 ounces frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons mint leaves
- salt
- pepper
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dried pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it reaches al dente. Keep an eye on it, as overcooked pasta can become mushy. Once done, reserve about 2 cups of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- In the same saucepan, add the olive oil and butter over medium heat. As the butter melts, it should create a lovely aroma filling your kitchen. Stir the oil and butter together until they’re well combined.
- Next, add the finely diced yellow onion to the saucepan. Sauté it for about 4 minutes, stirring constantly. You want the onions to become soft and translucent. This step is crucial as it builds the base flavor for your sauce.
- Once the onions are ready, add in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds. The garlic should become fragrant but not browned, as that can lead to a bitter taste.
- Now it’s time to introduce the frozen peas into the mix. Stir them in gently and allow them to cook for approximately 2 minutes. They should be heated through, while still maintaining their vibrant green color.
- After that, pour in the reserved pasta water. This is where the magic happens; the starchy water will help create a beautiful sauce. Add the mint leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow everything to simmer for about 1 minute, warming the pasta water and melding the flavors together.
- Now, it’s blending time! Transfer the pea mixture to a blender and blend until you achieve a smooth sauce. If you prefer a chunkier texture, feel free to blend less. This sauce is what brings the dish together.
- Combine the blended sauce with the drained pasta in a large bowl. Toss everything gently to ensure the pasta is well-coated in the delicious green sauce. This step is essential, as you want every strand of pasta to be enveloped in flavor.
- Serve the pasta immediately with extra peas and freshly grated parmesan cheese on top. This final touch elevates the dish, making it look as good as it tastes.
Notes
- Tip 1: Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of water.
- Tip 2: You can freeze the sauce separately from the pasta for up to a month. Just thaw and reheat when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
- Tip 3: Feel free to add grilled chicken or shrimp to the dish for extra protein. Just toss them in after mixing the pasta with the sauce.
- Tip 4: To make this dish vegan, replace the butter with a dairy-free alternative and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese.
- Tip 5: If you have access to fresh peas, use them instead of frozen for an even sweeter flavor.