Spring has finally arrived! The trees are budding, the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing. And I’m definitely ready to put those hearty winter meals behind me for now – my tastebuds are yearning for some lighter, fresher flavors!
So in honor of spring and all of its gloriousness, here’s a pasta dish that’s just perfect for a light spring supper. It’s creamy and cheesy, but still bright and fresh with a generous helping of vibrant green peas. I kept it a little on the lighter side by using milk and chicken broth instead of heavy cream and then added in some lean ground turkey (which you could totally omit for a vegetarian version).
I like to serve this as a main dish accompanied by a simple green salad. And you can’t go wrong by adding a glass of wine (or sparkling water) and a piece of homemade garlic toast.
Cook’s Tips:
- If you can get your peas fresh from your spring garden, that’s just fabulous, but frozen peas work just as well. And if you aren’t a fan of peas then just substitute another seasonal spring veggie like asparagus or artichokes.
- Change it up by using chicken sausage instead of ground turkey. Leave out the meat entirely and double the veggies for a vegetarian option.
- I used extra-sharp white cheddar cheese, but use any light-colored cheese that you enjoy. Swiss, gruyere, mozzarella, or Havarti are good choices (avoid yellow cheeses unless you don’t mind a yellow sauce). You can even use a blend of cheeses like a mix of Italian-style cheeses.
- I use milk in the recipe to keep it light, but you can make it a bit richer by substituting half and half.
- It’s totally optional, but I like to add a squeeze of lemon and a handful of chopped fresh herbs (basil, parsley, dill, and/or chives) before serving.
- The recipe calls for mini-penne pasta, but use whatever shape you like.
- Be generous with the salt and pepper to avoid a bland-tasting sauce. Taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
Happy Spring and I hope you enjoy!
Creamy Turkey Pasta with Peas
Ingredients
Instructions
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8 Comments
Jean | Delightful Repast
April 18, 2019 at 2:03 pmMelissa, mini penne is my favorite and most frequently used pasta, so I’ll definitely use it for this. Your photos make me want to dive right into a big plate of it for breakfast! Pinning. #FullPlateThursday
Melissa
April 18, 2019 at 4:41 pmThank-you for the kind words! I hope you enjoy!
Miz Helen
April 20, 2019 at 3:57 pmYour Creamy Turkey Pasta with Peas looks delicious, I love the addition of the peas! Thanks so much for sharing your post with us this week and hope you have a very special weekend!
Miz Helen
Melissa
April 22, 2019 at 12:30 amThank-you, Miz Helen. I hope you had a very Happy Easter!
Miz Helen
April 26, 2019 at 3:50 pmCongratulations!
Your post is one of our Top Ten Post this week on Full Plate Thursday. Thanks so much for sharing it with us and come back soon!
Miz Helen
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