Creamy Pasta with Peas and Basil Recipe
A quick and creamy pasta dish featuring fusilli tossed in a smooth pea and basil sauce, enhanced with fresh Parmesan cheese. This light yet flavorful recipe is perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner and comes together in just 25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 ounces fusilli pasta
- 1 ½ cup pasta water (reserved from cooking)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced
- 10 ounces frozen peas, thawed
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, packed (plus more for serving)
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fusilli pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 ½ cups of the cooking water to use for the sauce.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the sliced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Simmer Peas and Basil: Add the thawed peas to the skillet, reserving a few tablespoons for garnish. Stir in the fresh basil leaves and 1 cup of the reserved pasta water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Blend the Sauce: Use an immersion blender to blend the pea and basil mixture until smooth and creamy. For an extra creamy texture, strain the sauce through a fine mesh sieve, removing any solids.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Return the cooked fusilli to the skillet with the blended pea sauce. Season with salt and black pepper, then toss well to coat. Add as much of the remaining ½ cup reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the reserved whole peas and freshly grated Parmesan cheese until combined and warmed through. Serve immediately with extra fresh basil on top for garnish, if desired.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water carefully – the starchy water helps to bind the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
- Thaw frozen peas beforehand for best texture and flavor integration.
- Straining the sauce is optional but recommended for a silky smooth finish.
- Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
- Use fresh basil for the best herbal aroma and flavor impact.
