Description
A creamy and flavorful Green Pea Pasta made with fresh peas, silken tofu, and vibrant basil, blended into a smooth sauce with Italian seasonings and paprika. This easy vegetarian dish combines the richness of silken tofu and the freshness of herbs for a nutritious and satisfying 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 pasta water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 1 pound pasta of your choice
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta water and set the pasta aside in a colander.
- Prepare the sauce base: In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and garlic and sauté until they begin to brown.
- Add spices and peas: Stir in paprika and Italian seasoning and cook for 10 seconds. Add the thawed peas and cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent burning. If the mixture starts to stick or burn, 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 the sauce and season with salt and pepper, then blend for an additional minute for smoothness.
- Finish the sauce: Pour the blended sauce back into the pot and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring regularly to incorporate flavors.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and mix well. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve and garnish: Serve 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 soft or mushy when mixed with the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water as its starchiness helps the sauce cling to the pasta and adjust consistency.
- Use a high-speed blender for the smoothest and creamiest sauce; a food processor can be used as an alternative.
- Silken tofu can be substituted with cashew cream for a nutty twist if preferred.
- Red or yellow onion can be used interchangeably based on your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
