Creamy Fusilli Pasta with Peas and Fresh Basil Recipe
A creamy and vibrant pasta dish featuring fusilli tossed in a smooth pea and basil sauce, enhanced with garlic, onion, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick and nutritious meal ready 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 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Finishing
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta but reserve 1 ½ cups of the cooking water for the sauce.
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the sliced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Prepare the pea sauce: Add the thawed peas (reserving a couple tablespoons for garnish) to the skillet. 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 allow flavors to meld and the peas to soften.
- Blend the sauce: Using an immersion blender, blend the pea sauce in the skillet until smooth and creamy. For an extra smooth and creamy texture, strain the blended sauce through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl or back into the skillet.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet containing the pea sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated. If needed, add some or all of the remaining ½ cup of reserved pasta water to thin the sauce to your preferred consistency.
- Finish and serve: Stir in the reserved whole peas and the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well until everything is combined and heated through. Serve the pasta garnished with extra fresh basil leaves if desired.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency easily.
- For a vegan version, omit Parmesan cheese or substitute with a vegan cheese alternative.
- Use fresh peas if available for a sweeter flavor.
- Ensure the pea sauce is blended well for a smooth texture.
- Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
