Description
A creamy and vibrant Green Pea Pasta recipe featuring a flavorful blend of peas, silken tofu, fresh basil, and aromatic spices, tossed with your favorite pasta and garnished with red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Perfect for a quick, nutritious, and delicious vegetarian meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red or yellow onion, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound frozen peas, thawed
- 12 ounces silken tofu
- 1 cup packed fresh basil, plus more for garnish
- 2 cups pasta water (reserved)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta
- 1 pound pasta of choice
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside in a colander.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until they begin to brown and develop flavor.
- Add Spices and Peas: Stir in the paprika and Italian seasoning, cooking for about 10 seconds. Add the thawed peas and cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent burning. If the mixture starts to stick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Blend the Sauce: Remove the onion, garlic, and peas from the pot and transfer them to a blender. Add silken tofu and fresh basil, then blend on high for 2 to 3 minutes until creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste and blend for an additional minute. Pour the sauce back into the pot.
- Simmer the Sauce: Cook the sauce over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring regularly to combine flavors and heat through.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and mix well. Adjust the consistency by adding some reserved pasta water as needed to achieve your desired creaminess.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves and an optional sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
Notes
- Cook the pasta al dente to avoid mushy texture when combined with the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to help the sauce adhere better to the pasta and adjust sauce thickness.
- Use a high-speed blender for the smoothest, creamiest sauce; a food processor will work if a blender is not available.
- Thaw frozen peas completely before cooking to ensure even cooking and blending.
- Silken tofu adds creaminess and protein while keeping the dish vegan-friendly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
