Pea pasta is an easy and tasty meal you can make in about 15 minutes. It uses green peas blended into a creamy sauce with lime and simple seasonings. You can use any pasta you like, and it’s great for a quick lunch or dinner. This dish is vegan and works well for gluten-free diets too. It’s a fresh and healthy way to enjoy pasta with bright, clean flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Pea Pasta Recipe
What makes pea pasta stand out isn’t just how easy it is to make but also the unique creamy sauce that doesn’t rely on dairy or heavy creams. The sauce blends thawed green peas, lime juice, miso paste, and tahini, offering a balance of tanginess, umami, and richness. You get the wholesome goodness of peas packed with protein and fiber, making it a nourishing meal that fills you up without feeling heavy.
Plus, it’s versatile. You can use any pasta shape you like—long spaghetti, short penne, or gluten-free versions—so it fits your dietary needs and preferences. The sauce clings beautifully to the noodles thanks to the natural starch from peas, meaning every forkful bursts with flavor. With the option to add toppings like vegan parmesan or fresh herbs, you can easily customize the dish to suit your mood.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Pea Pasta
For this recipe, you’ll need a handful of simple ingredients that come together effortlessly:
- 8 ounces of your favorite pasta (any type works; gluten-free if needed)
- 4 cups of frozen green peas, thawed
- ⅓ cup of fresh lime juice (lemon juice is a good substitute)
- 1½ teaspoons of granulated onion powder
- 2 teaspoons of granulated garlic powder
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of white or yellow miso paste (or salt if you don’t have miso)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of tahini (or alternatives like soaked cashews, sunflower seeds, or olive oil)
- ⅓ cup of filtered water, or more as needed for thinning the sauce
Optional garnishes to finish the dish:
- Finely grated vegan parmesan or a vegan parmesan topping
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Fresh herbs, lemon zest, or crushed red pepper flakes for extra zing
All these ingredients combine to create a sauce that’s smooth, creamy, and full of flavor, without relying on dairy or complicated steps.
How to Make Your Pea Pasta
Making pea pasta is simple and straightforward. Here’s how you can do it:
Cook Your Pasta
Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to the package instructions. If you prefer your pasta a bit softer, cook it a little longer than al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta well. If you want, you can save half a cup of the pasta cooking water to help loosen the sauce later, but plain filtered water also works fine thanks to the peas’ natural starch.
Prepare the Sauce
While the pasta is cooking, get your sauce ready. Thaw the frozen peas either by microwaving them for a minute or steaming them. Add the peas to a blender along with the lime juice, granulated onion, garlic powder, miso paste, tahini, and filtered water. Blend everything together until you get a smooth, creamy sauce. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed—maybe a little more lime juice or miso for saltiness.
Combine Pasta and Sauce
Pour the sauce over your cooked pasta. Use tongs or a large spoon to toss everything together well, making sure each noodle is coated with the creamy green sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash more water or reserved pasta water and toss again until you reach the desired consistency.
Serve and Garnish
Plate your pea pasta in bowls and top with your choice of garnishes. Vegan parmesan and cracked black pepper add a savory, finishing touch. For extra flavor and texture, sprinkle fresh herbs, lemon zest, or crushed red pepper flakes over the top.
This method is quick, efficient, and produces a dish that tastes like it took much longer to prepare than it actually did.
Serving Suggestions for Pea Pasta
Pea pasta works wonderfully as a main dish thanks to its creamy, satisfying nature. You can enjoy it warm straight from the stove or at room temperature, making it great for meal prepping or packed lunches. Pair it with a simple side salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to keep the meal light and fresh.
For added protein, consider topping your pasta with toasted nuts or seeds, or serve it alongside a plant-based protein like grilled tofu or tempeh. If you’re serving guests or want to elevate the dish, a sprinkle of nutritional yeast can add a cheesy flavor that complements the sauce perfectly.
You might also like to add roasted vegetables on the side, such as asparagus, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms, to bring more color and nutrients to the plate. These add a textural contrast that pairs well with the creamy pasta.
Expert Tips for Perfect Pea Pasta
Here are some helpful hints to get the best results from your pea pasta recipe:
- Don’t overcook the peas. Thaw them just until soft, not mushy, so the sauce keeps a vibrant green color and fresh taste.
- Adjust the water gradually. Add water little by little when blending the sauce to avoid making it too runny.
- Use fresh lime juice. Bottled juice works, but fresh juice brings a brighter, cleaner flavor.
- Miso paste adds depth. If you’re sensitive to soy, chickpea miso is a great alternative, or just add salt carefully.
- Tahini alternatives. If you don’t have tahini or want a lighter sauce, soaked cashews or olive oil are excellent substitutes.
- Save pasta water. If you decide to save some cooking water, it can help the sauce bind perfectly to the pasta.
- Serve immediately for best texture. The sauce thickens if left to sit, so stir in a little water or non-dairy milk before reheating leftovers.
Following these tips ensures your pea pasta turns out creamy, flavorful, and perfectly textured every time.
How to Store Your Pea Pasta
If you have leftovers or want to prepare this dish ahead, store the pea pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for up to five days. When you’re ready to eat the leftovers, you might find the sauce has thickened or separated slightly.
To refresh it, add a splash of water or unsweetened non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk, then stir or gently reheat until smooth. You can also add a bit more vegan parmesan for extra flavor. Avoid freezing this pasta, as the texture of the peas and sauce may change after thawing.
Proper storage means you can enjoy this vibrant dish all week long without losing its creamy appeal.
Variations to Customize Your Pea Pasta
Feel free to personalize this pea pasta recipe in several ways:
- Add fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or mint to the sauce for an herbal lift.
- Mix in cooked vegetables such as spinach, zucchini ribbons, or cherry tomatoes for extra color and nutrients.
- Use different citrus like lemon or even a splash of orange juice for a sweeter twist.
- Add heat by stirring in crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Try alternative pastas such as chickpea, lentil, or black bean pasta for higher protein content.
- Swap tahini for nut butters like cashew or sunflower seed butter for a different creamy base.
- Top with toasted nuts or seeds like pumpkin seeds or pine nuts for crunch.
- Make it heartier by adding sautéed mushrooms or vegan sausage crumbles on top.
With so many ways to adapt the recipe, you can make pea pasta your own and keep it exciting every time you cook it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pea Pasta
What type of pasta works best for pea pasta?
Any pasta you like will work well here. Long noodles like spaghetti or fettuccine hold the sauce nicely, but short shapes like penne or shells are great too. Use gluten-free if needed.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free or vegan?
Absolutely! This recipe is naturally vegan, and you can easily choose gluten-free pasta to suit your needs.
What can I substitute for miso paste?
If you don’t have miso, a pinch of salt works fine. Chickpea miso is a good soy-free option. Adjust salt to taste.
How do I store leftover pea pasta?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Stir in a little water or non-dairy milk when reheating to loosen the sauce.
Can I prepare pea pasta ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the sauce and cook pasta ahead, then combine and warm when ready to serve. Just add some water or non-dairy milk if the sauce is too thick.
Pea Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta (any type, gluten-free if needed)
- 4 cups frozen green peas (thawed)
- 1/3 cup fresh lime juice (lemon juice is a good substitute)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated onion powder
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic powder
- 1 to 2 tablespoons white or yellow miso paste (or salt if you don’t have miso)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons tahini (or alternatives like soaked cashews or olive oil)
- 1/3 cup filtered water (or more as needed for thinning the sauce)
- to taste vegan parmesan (optional)
- to taste freshly cracked black pepper (optional)
- to taste fresh herbs, lemon zest, or crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Add your pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Thaw the frozen peas by microwaving them for a minute or steaming them. In a blender, combine the peas, lime juice, onion powder, garlic powder, miso, tahini, and filtered water. Blend until smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the cooked pasta and toss until well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add more water or reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately, garnished with vegan parmesan, black pepper, fresh herbs, or lemon zest as desired.
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