Creamy Pea Pasta

The secret ingredient in this creamy pea pasta might surprise you… cottage cheese! A rogue one, I know, but combined with peas, basil, parmesan and garlic, it makes for a very delicious pasta sauce that has the added benefit of being high in protein. 

I’m not ordinarily a fan of cottage cheese but I love this dish! So, if you’re in the same boat, there’s a high chance you’ll love it too. However, if you really hate it, you can substitute it for ricotta, mascarpone, creme fraîche or even cream cheese.

You can watch the full recipe video here.

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Creamy Pea Pasta
• Ingredient Breakdown
• Cottage Cheese: Creamy Protein Powerhouse
• Can’t Do Cottage Cheese? No Problem
• The Role of Peas in This Dish
• Perfecting the Creamy Pea Pasta Sauce
• Finishing Touches: Pink Peppercorns and Lemon
• Customising Your Creamy Pea Pasta
• Creamy Pea Pasta: The Perfect Midweek Winner
• More Creamy Pasta Recipes

Introduction: Creamy Pea Pasta

Sometimes the most unexpected ingredients can create magic in the kitchen. For this creamy pea pasta, the secret is none other than cottage cheese. It may seem a bit rogue, but trust me on this. Combined with peas, fresh basil, garlic, and parmesan, cottage cheese transforms into a silky, protein-packed sauce. Let’s dive into what makes this dish so great, starting with a breakdown of the ingredients.

Ingredient Breakdown

• Dried pasta: Pick whatever shape you fancy!
• Frozen peas: Sweet, vibrant, and a wonderful source of fibre, these peas are thawed and blitzed into the sauce.
• Cottage cheese: The star of the show, providing creaminess and an extra boost of protein. You won’t even notice it’s there once blended.
• Fresh basil leaves: Fragrant and fresh, basil adds a summery herbaceous note that lifts the entire dish.
• Parmigiano Reggiano: This sharp, salty cheese gives depth and richness to the sauce. It’s a must for that umami kick.
• Garlic: A small amount of raw garlic goes a long way, bringing that unmistakable aromatic heat.
• Extra-virgin olive oil: Used both in the sauce and for a finishing drizzle, adding richness and body.
• Pink peppercorns (optional): These lend a gentle, almost floral heat that complements the sweet peas without overpowering.
• Lemon juice (optional): Just a squeeze at the end brightens the whole dish. It also cuts through the richness and balancing the flavours.

Cottage Cheese: Creamy Protein Powerhouse

Let’s address the elephant in the room: cottage cheese. I know, I know—it’s not exactly the most glamorous ingredient. But here’s the thing: when it’s blended with peas, basil, and garlic, it becomes something else entirely. Gone is the lumpy, slightly sour texture that might put you off. Instead, you get a smooth, rich sauce that clings to the pasta and feels indulgent without being heavy.

The best part? Cottage cheese is naturally high in protein while being relatively low in fat compared to cream or mascarpone. This makes it an ideal option for those wanting a more balanced meal, especially when paired with pasta, which is often carb-heavy. The result is a high-in-protein dish that feels comforting and indulgent, but still light enough for a midweek dinner.

Can’t Do Cottage Cheese? No Problem

If you’re absolutely not convinced by cottage cheese, you can easily swap it out without compromising the creamy pea pasta. Ricotta is a wonderful alternative, offering a slightly sweeter flavour and a creamy consistency. Mascarpone will give you a more indulgent, buttery mouthfeel, while crème fraîche adds a slight tang, similar to sour cream. Cream cheese is another viable option, bringing the same smooth texture with a little bit of richness.

Each substitute brings something different to the table, so feel free to experiment based on what you have on hand or what flavour profile you’re after. Whichever route you choose, the rest of the dish remains just as delicious and satisfying.

The Role of Peas in This Dish

Peas often play the part of a sidekick in recipes, but this creamy pea pasta, they’re front and centre. The natural sweetness of peas pairs beautifully with the savoury notes of parmesan and garlic, creating a well-rounded flavour that’s fresh and comforting at the same time.

Using frozen peas is not only convenient but also ensures that the peas are at their peak sweetness. They’re quickly thawed and blitzed into the sauce, meaning they retain their bright green colour and fresh flavour. Combined with the creamy cottage cheese and fragrant basil, the peas bring both texture and taste, making this a pasta sauce that’s anything but ordinary.

Perfecting the Creamy Pea Pasta Sauce

One of the key aspects of this creamy pea pasta recipe is getting the sauce to just the right consistency. You want it to coat the pasta without feeling too heavy or clumpy, and that’s where pasta water comes in. When you cook pasta, it releases starch into the water, and that starchy liquid is the key to emulsifying the sauce.

Once you’ve blitzed the peas, cottage cheese, basil, parmesan, and garlic together, it might feel a bit thick. That’s where a splash of pasta water works its magic. As you toss the sauce with the cooked pasta over a medium heat, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce is loose enough to coat the pasta but still clings beautifully.

This technique not only loosens the sauce but also helps it bind to the pasta, giving you that silky finish that’s the hallmark of a good creamy pasta dish.

Finishing Touches: Pink Peppercorns and Lemon

To take this creamy pea pasta to the next level, I love adding a few final touches. Pink peppercorns aren’t as spicy as black pepper but have a floral, slightly sweet flavour that pairs wonderfully with the peas and basil. If you can get your hands on some, a light sprinkle at the end adds both a burst of colour and a subtle layer of flavour.

A squeeze of fresh lemon juice is another optional step, but one I highly recommend. The acidity of the lemon cuts through the richness of the cheese and olive oil, brightening up the whole dish and balancing the flavours perfectly.

Customising Your Creamy Pea Pasta

The beauty of this creamy pea pasta recipe is how easily it can be adapted. You can play around with different pasta shapes to suit your mood—spaghetti, penne, or even orecchiette all work well. If you’re looking to add some extra veggies, feel free to throw in some spinach or courgettes, which would blend seamlessly with the pea and basil sauce.

For a little added crunch, toasted pine nuts or crispy breadcrumbs scattered on top would provide a delightful contrast to the creamy sauce. If you’re feeling extra fancy, a drizzle of truffle oil would elevate this simple dish into something dinner party-worthy.

Creamy Pea Pasta: The Perfect Midweek Winner

There’s something about a quick, creamy pasta dish that feels like the ultimate comfort food, but this one comes with the added bonus of being packed with good-for-you ingredients. The combination of peas, cottage cheese, and basil creates a vibrant, fresh sauce that’s as satisfying as it is nutritious. And with the whole thing coming together in about 20 minutes, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again.

Whether you’re a cottage cheese convert or sticking with ricotta, this Creamy Pea Pasta is sure to become a weeknight staple. Enjoy it with a glass of white wine and a light salad, and you’ve got yourself a meal that’s quick, comforting, and just a little bit special.

More Creamy Pasta Recipes

If you’re a fan of rich, creamy sauces, you’re in luck! Here are some more creamy pasta recipes, each one bursting with flavour and perfect for those comforting weeknight meals.

• Creamy Tomato and Harissa Pasta: My most viral recipe, with good reason! The recipe adds a punch of heat with harissa and balances it out with a luscious cream sauce.
• Sausage Vodka Pasta: A sausage-y spin on the Italian American classic.
• Creamy Tomato and Pepper Pasta: Sweet roasted peppers and tomatoes come together in a velvety sauce that’s perfect for a satisfying midweek dinner.