Description
A creamy and vibrant green pea pasta recipe made with sautéed onions, garlic, peas, silken tofu, and fresh basil blended into a smooth sauce. This comforting dish is seasoned with paprika, Italian herbs, and finished with optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. It’s quick to prepare, nutritious, and perfect for a satisfying vegetarian meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 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 reserved pasta water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 1 pound pasta of your choice
- Red pepper flakes for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta water before draining. Set the cooked pasta aside in a colander.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same pot used for pasta, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until they begin to brown and become fragrant.
- Add spices and peas: Stir in the paprika and Italian seasoning, cooking for 10 seconds. Add the thawed peas and cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly to avoid burning. If the mixture starts to stick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Blend the sauce: Remove the onion, garlic, and peas from the pot and transfer to a blender. Add silken tofu and fresh basil. Blend on high for 2 to 3 minutes until creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Blend for an additional minute for a smooth texture.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour the blended sauce back into the pot and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring regularly to combine flavors and heat through.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta into the sauce and toss well to coat. Adjust the consistency by gradually adding reserved pasta water until desired creaminess is reached.
- Serve: Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.
Notes
- Cook the pasta al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy after mixing with the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water because the starch helps thicken the sauce and improves sauce adhesion to pasta.
- Use a high-speed blender for the smoothest and creamiest sauce. A food processor can be used as an alternative but may yield a less silky texture.
- To make the dish spicier, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add fresh chili flakes during cooking.
- This recipe works well with gluten-free pasta for those with dietary restrictions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
