Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of perfectly cooked pasta, draped in a luxuriously creamy tomato sauce, studded with sweet green peas, and kissed with Parmesan cheese. This isn't just another pasta recipe—this is a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal you can create in your own kitchen in just 30 minutes. Whether you're a busy professional, a home cook looking to impress, or simply craving a comforting Italian-inspired dish, this Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce and Peas is about to become your new favorite go-to recipe!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta of choice
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup peas, frozen or fresh
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
- Pour the crushed tomatoes into the skillet with the garlic. Stir and let simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce slightly and develop deeper flavor.
- Add the heavy cream to the tomato sauce, stirring continuously to create a smooth, creamy texture. Reduce heat to low.
- Add the frozen or fresh peas to the sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes until they are heated through and bright green.
- Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir to combine.
- Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water in case you need to adjust sauce consistency.
- Add the drained pasta directly into the sauce, tossing gently to coat every piece evenly.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and mix thoroughly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and let sit for 1-2 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Serve immediately in warm bowls, with additional Parmesan cheese for garnish if desired.
Tips
- Salt your pasta water generously—it should taste like the sea! This is your first chance to season the pasta.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining. The starchy water is liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency and helping the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Cook pasta just until al dente. It will continue cooking slightly when mixed with the hot sauce, preventing mushy pasta.
- Use fresh garlic if possible, and be careful not to burn it—30-45 seconds of sautéing is perfect for releasing flavor without bitterness.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, or use Greek yogurt for a tangy twist.
- Fresh peas work wonderfully, but frozen are a convenient and equally delicious alternative.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or some fresh basil leaves when serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 580kcal
Carbohydrates: 56g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 90mg
