This easy green pea pasta is a simple weeknight meal that's whipped up with a few basic ingredients in less than 20 minutes. It's vegan, dairy-free, and easily made gluten-free plus you can even blend it into a creamy pea sauce that even kids will love.
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โค๏ธ Why make this recipe
I love that this pasta and peas recipe takes very little prep and turns a bag of peas into cozy comfort food in minutes. With a few simple ingredients, you have a healthy meal that the whole family will love.
๐งพ Ingredients and substitutions
- Pasta - any small pasta like ditalini or small shells. See what brands of pasta are vegan.
- Green Peas - you can use fresh peas or frozen peas. I love baby peas or petite peas for this recipe. They are super tender and delicious.
- Olive Oil - or any other neutral flavored oil to saute the onion.
- Onion - a small sweet onion or yellow onion.
- Vegan Butter - any vegan butter will work. I like to use my homemade vegan butter.
- Garlic - fresh minced garlic. You can also use garlic powder if you don't have fresh garlic.
- Vegan Parmesan Cheese - you can use your favorite brand of store-bought parm or replace it with a mozzarella-style cheese or 1/4 cup of nutritional yeast or my homemade vegan parm.
- Fresh Parsley - optional, but adds a fresh flavor to the pasta. You can use a tablespoon of dried parsley instead, but fresh gives a better flavor. You can also use fresh basil leaves or vegan pesto instead.
- Salt and Pepper - for flavor. I also like to add a dash of red pepper flakes.
๐ช Helpful tools
Another great thing about this recipe is that it doesn't require any special equipment. All you need is a large frying pan, pot, or wok to cook the peas and mix in the cooked pasta.
๐ฅ How to make pasta and peas
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
Step 1 - Boil your pasta in salted water according to package directions until a dente. (It will cook a little bit more in the sauce at the end.)
Step 2 - Peel and dice an onion into small pieces and saute it in a large skillet in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over low heat for 5 minutes.
Step 3 - Add minced garlic and saute for another minute, then add the fresh or frozen peas to the onions and garlic and turn the heat to medium.
Step 4 - Scoop out 1 cup of pasta cooking water and add it to the skillet with the peas with 4 tablespoons of butter and simmer for about 5 more minutes until the butter is melted and the peas are tender.
Step 5 - Add 3/4 cup of vegan parm (saving 1/4 cup for garnishing) and give it a good stir and allow the cheese to melt.
Step 6 - Drain the cooked pasta, then add it to the cooked peas. Stir well and add salt and pepper to taste and a few shakes of red pepper flakes if desired. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to soak up the flavors of the sauce. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.
I also love to sprinkle this dish with some vegan bacon bits for extra flavor and a little crunch.
๐ฉ๐ปโ๐ณ Pro Tips
- Saute the onion over low heat to bring more sweetness and flavor.
- To make this a creamy pea pasta sauce - Transfer the cooked onion and pea mixture to a blender and puree it until smooth before mixing it with the pasta. This is great for kids and picky eaters.
- Don't want to use butter? You can swap it out for 1/2 cup of cashew cream or coconut cream.
๐พ How to make gluten-free pasta and peas
This pea pasta sauce is naturally gluten-free, (just be sure to use a gluten-free cheese) so all you need to do is mix in your favorite gluten-free pasta to make it a gluten-free meal.
๐ฅก Storage and reheating
Refrigerate: This green pea pasta will keep well in the fridge for 3 - 5 days in an airtight container.
Freeze: Pasta and peas freezes well and can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat the pasta and peas in the microwave for about 3 minutes or add a few tablespoons of water and reheat it in a saucepan on the stovetop.
๐ More easy pasta recipes
I love quick and easy vegan pasta recipes and I have a ton of them on the blog, but these are a few of our favorites.
- Vegan Pesto Pasta
- Sundried Tomato Pasta
- Tofu Bolognese
- Creamy Tofu Pasta
- Vegan Rasta Pasta
- Tahini Pasta
- Vegan Chicken Picatta
๐ Be sure to follow me on Pinterest for new vegan recipes!
๐ Green pea pasta recipe
Green Pea Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz) package pasta (small shapes work best)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 4 tablespoons vegan butter
- 2 cups green peas fresh or frozen
- 1 cup pasta water
- 1 cup vegan Parmesan cheese divided (or mozzarella cheese)
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
Instructions
- Boil your pasta in salted water according to package directions until a dente. (It will cook a little bit more in the sauce at the end.)
- Peel and dice an onion into small pieces. Sautรฉ it in a large skillet with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt over low heat for 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and sautรฉ for another minute, then add the fresh or frozen peas to the onions and garlic and turn the heat to medium.
- Scoop out 1 cup of pasta cooking water and add it to the skillet with the peas with 4 tablespoons of butter and simmer for about 5 more minutes until the butter is melted and the peas are tender.
- Add 3/4 cup of vegan parm (saving 1/4 cup for garnishing) and give it a good stir and allow the cheese to melt.
- Drain the cooked pasta, then add it to the cooked peas. Stir well and add salt and pepper to taste and a few shakes of red pepper flakes if desired. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to soak up the flavors of the sauce.
- Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and the remaining 1/4 cup of vegan parm.
Notes
-
- Saute the onion over low heat to bring more sweetness and flavor.
- To make this a creamy pea pasta sauce - Transfer the cooked onion and pea mixture to a blender and puree it until smooth before mixing it with the pasta. This is great for kids and picky eaters.
- Don't want to use butter? You can swap it out for 1/2 cup of cashew cream or coconut cream.
- ย
Nutrition
โญโญโญโญโญ Click the stars above or leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you!
Sue L says
This is one of the best dishes ever. I've made it at least once a week since I found it. All I can say is thank you thank you thank you. Oh and Chef's Kiss ๐ฉโ๐ณ๐
Monica says
I'm so happy that you liked the recipe!
Tracy L says
Omg this is amazing! So tender and buttery. Absolutely perfect!
Monica says
I'm so happy that you like it! ๐
Katy Boyce says
This sounds yummy and I canโt wait to try it
Monica says
Thanks, Enjoy! ๐