Creamy Green Pea Pasta Sauce (20-Min Vegan Recipe) Recipe
This Creamy Green Pea Pasta Sauce is a vibrant, quick, and delicious vegan recipe that transforms simple green peas and fresh basil into a luscious sauce perfect for your favorite pasta. Ready in just 20 minutes, it combines sautéed onions and garlic with blended peas and plant milk for a smooth, flavorful dish that’s both nutritious and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Pasta Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 oz pasta of your choice
For the Sauce
- 2 cups frozen green peas (petite or small peas preferred)
- 1 yellow onion or sweet onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed or thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (or to taste)
- ½ cup unsweetened plant milk (such as oat milk) or water
- ¾ cup fresh basil leaves (plus more for garnish)
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp oil for cooking
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 12 oz pasta of your choice until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes depending on the pasta type. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion along with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are slightly browned and softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the crushed or sliced garlic and continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Peas: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the frozen peas and boil for 1-2 minutes until warmed through. Drain the peas well. Alternatively, you can microwave the peas in a large bowl covered with water for about 4 minutes until warm, then drain.
- Blend the Sauce: In a blender, combine the sautéed onion and garlic mixture, the drained peas, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ cup unsweetened plant milk or water, ¾ cup fresh basil leaves, and a pinch of salt. Blend on high speed until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more salt or lemon juice as needed. Add extra plant milk if you prefer a thinner sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return the cooked pasta to the pot used for boiling. Pour in the blended green pea sauce and stir well to coat the noodles evenly. Warm everything together over medium heat for a few minutes until heated through.
- Serve: Serve the creamy green pea pasta garnished with additional fresh basil leaves for a bright, herbaceous finish. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Use petite or small green peas for a smoother, more tender sauce texture.
- Plant milk options like oat or almond work best to keep the sauce creamy and vegan-friendly.
- Adjust the consistency of the sauce with additional plant milk or water based on your preference.
- The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated; reheat gently with a splash of plant milk.
- For added protein, consider topping with toasted pine nuts or nutritional yeast.
