Penne tossed with peas, spinach, a little crème fraîche, and a handful of cheese makes a delicious vegetarian dish. Ready in under 20 minutes this really is a pasta recipe made easy.
Pasta Dishes Made Easy
Given how much pasta we eat as a family it surprises me how few pasta recipes I have posted on Recipes Made Easy. All the more surprising given I have also written a book of 100 Great Pasta Recipes (no longer in print). Still, I can easily put that right, starting with today's vegetarian pasta dish.
The great thing about pasta - actually there are quite a lot of great things about pasta - is that it is easy to cook. Penne with Peas and Spinach is no exception.
When I was developing this recipe for the blog I was going to throw in some cherry tomatoes to add a bit extra of colour. Which I subsequently completely forgot. I'm now secretly glad I forgot since it really doesn't need it for flavour, nor for colour for that matter.
So many pasta recipes include tomatoes so it makes a change not to have them.
Just 5 ingredients
This simple pasta dish uses just 5 ingredients plus seasoning
- Penne
- Peas
- Baby spinach leaves
- Crème fraîche
- gruyere or any vegetarian cheese, to serve
Meatfree/Vegetarian
As I'm not a vegetarian, I added gruyere cheese. I like the flavour and the stretchiness of the cheese once melted. If you are vegetarian on ethical grounds, or make it as a dish for someone who is, make sure to use a suitable cheese made without animal rennet.
Gruyere can be made with or without animal rennet so you need to check the label and look out for the logo indicating Vegetarian Society Approval. Of course you could also use any other grated cheese you like, choose your favourite.
Step by Step Penne with Peas and Spinach
Step 1
Cook pasta as directed on the packet
Step 2
Add peas and return to boil. Drain well.
Step 3
Return the pasta and peas to the pan and add the spinach.
Step 4
Then add the creme fraiche and seasoning.
Step 5
Toss together in the pan until the spinach wilts.
Step 6
Serve with a generous sprinkling of Gruyere cheese.
Penne with peas and Spinach
Ingredients
- 400 g penne
- 225 g peas
- 100 g baby spinach leaves
- 8 tablespoon crème fraîche
- salted and freshly ground black pepper
- gruyere or any vegetarian cheese, to serve
Instructions
- Cook the penne according to packet, until just cooked. Usually about 10 minutes.
- As soon as the pasta is just tender add the peas to the water and bring back to the boil.
- Drain the pasta and peas. Reserve a few tablespoons of the cooking water. Return to the hot pan.
- Add the spinach, crème fraîche and seasoning and toss together until combined. Add a little of the starchy cooking water to help moisten the pasta.
- Serve sprinkled with cheese.
Corina Blum says
This penne looks absolutely delicious and would make such a tasty and easy midweek meal. I usually do pasta with a tomato sauce so this would be a lovely change!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
its so easy to just do tomtaoe sauces on pasta so yes indeed it is a lovely change
Sarah James @ Tales From The Kitchen Shed says
I really like the combination of spinach and peas with the creamy sauce and gruyere, perfect for a quick midweek meal.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Thank you sarah. It really is so easy and so quick which is why I like it so much. Of course it tasty too:)
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says
We're huge fans of pasta too Jacqueline, and I have to admit we do ordinarily use a tomato based for them. Love this, it looks so fresh and I idea of not including tomatoes (even though it slipped your mind) makes a lovely change. I'll crtainly be giving it a try. Pinning.
Angela x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
I know I mainly do tomato based pasta and I'm often surprised how other simple dressings to pasta taste so good.