A creamy kid meal with both protein and a helping of veggies. Easy to make and loved by all, this creamy mac pasta and peas is comforting, flavor packed and so simple to throw together.
Every mom needs a quick meal that she knows her kids will eat. And maybe even her husband. No fights, no tears, no whining. This creamy pasta and peas is one of those meals for me.
I like to make batches of my Creamy Vegan Alfredo Sauce or the sauce from my Scalloped Cauliflower to keep in the freezer for moments like this. It freezes really well and all it needs to get the creamy texture back is a little heat and quick stir, you can even add some veggie broth to thin it out.
It bounces right back! This is a huge hit with my boys, one of those rare moments of silence as they each stuff their face. Pasta and peas filling their little mouths so no sound can escape. So sharing it with all of you is a no brainer.
It’s easy to make, has a serving of veggies and is filled with protein from the nut based sauce. An all around healthy meal! I hope it brings happiness to your house as it does to ours!
Other Things To Add To This Creamy Pasta and Peas;
- Use this pasta to use up leftover veggies such as fennel, zucchini, bell peppers
- Add some baby spinach in at the end of extra green goodness
- Sprinkle with a nut and breadcrumb topping and bake for a few minutes for extra crunch
Other Yummy Meals For Kids You Might Like;
- Creamy Vegan Mushroom Risotto
- Veggie Rice Buddha Bowl with Lemon Herb Sauce
- High Protein Low Fat Taco Meat
- Vegan Roasted Veggie Tacos
Creamy Mac and Peas
Ingredients
- 12 ounces your favorite pasta , gluten free if needed
- 1 cup vegan Alfredo sauce , or make it even easier with your favorite cheese or a mix of both
- 1-2 cups frozen peas , adjust for your preference
Optional additions:
- vegan Parmesan cheese
- extra protein of choice
- extra veggies of choice
Instructions
- Cook pasta following directions on package.
- Add frozen peas to the bottom of a pasta strainer.
- When pasta is done, pour the hot pasta water and paste over the frozen peas in the strainer (reserve a little pasta water to thin out if necessary).
- Put the pasta and peas back in the pot.
- Add 1 cup Alfredo sauce (or cheese or both) to pot and mix well.
- Add a drizzle of pasta water to thin out if needed.
- Add Parmesan, if using, and any other add ins and serve!
Notes
- The cream sauces make more than you need, however you can add more or less sauce depending on how your kids(or you) like it.
- Feel free to add more peas if desired.
- Recipe uses creamy risotto sauce for nutrition calculation
- Keep leftover sauce in the freezer for next time you need a quick meal!
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Abeer says
This has become my daughter’s favorite dish of all time! She loved it since the first time I made it, and she’s been asking for it every.single.day since then! This is such an achievement, because she’s such a picky eater, so thank you thank you thank you!!!
veggiesdontbite says
I am so happy to hear!! Thank you so much for the great review and letting me know.
Emily Kemp says
Yum this just looks so creamy and comforting…my kinda dinner!
Bryon says
Can you use whole grain pasta for this recipe and achieve a similar taste?
I do not have any gluten issues and have read that it is not the best idea to deprive you body of it.
veggiesdontbite says
Hi Byron! Yep, you can use whatever pasta you prefer! Flavor will be the same.
Julie says
Hi, Sophia! I can’t thank you enough for posting this recipe! I’ve recently started a plant-based lifestyle and my son is allergic to wheat, eggs, and milk. He’s never tasted traditional mac & cheese, so I thought I’d give this recipe a try. We LOVED it!! I added petite peas to my portion and he ate his pasta with sauce only. He couldn’t get enough of it! I will be making your other recipes, too. Thank you.
veggiesdontbite says
Hi Julie!! This made my day to read! I am so happy both of you loved it and that I can help give your little guy a dinner he can eat! Please be on touch with any questions you may have!
Gin says
Ha, I love this! Perfect timing, cause I need a few more “just eat this” meals up my sleeve. Look out freezer, you’re about to be filled with bags of yummy Alfredo sauce.
veggiesdontbite says
Ha! Well, this is one for sure. Your freezer should be excited! LOL!
Sina @ Vegan Heaven says
Yummy! This looks like the ultimate comfort food, Sophia! 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Sina! It’s so good!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
Oh Sophia, you always make the most lovely-looking comfort food! I could devour a bowl of this right now.
veggiesdontbite says
Awe, thanks Alisa! Comfort food is just so good!
Linda @ Veganosity says
Easy peasy! 😉 This is one of my favorite go to meals as well. Is there really anything quite as comforting?
veggiesdontbite says
Ha ha! I say that all the time! We love it, it’s such an easy meal.
Mel@avirtualvegan.com says
A perfect, quick, easy and healthy dinner idea. Anything that avoids fuss at meal times is good with me. My son is 16 now and is extremely fussy with his food so we still have dinner nightmares! I keep hoping he’ll grow out of it one day. He would love this. pasta and peas are his favourite!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Mel! Works with all age kids!! It’s so hard when dealing with dinner tantrums. It saves me so much!!
Kat from Curls'n'Chard says
I love the name 😀 This sounds like a perfect weeknight dinner when I just really don’t want to cook!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Kat! Exactly!! It’s perfect for our busy days.
The Vegan 8 says
This looks so yummy! Pasta and alfredo sauce is our weekly go-to! I always, always serve my 20 min alfredo with peas too and sometimes carrots! I think peas are one of the best things to serve with alfredo sauce! That is also the only way Jay will eat peas, when I serve them with alfredo, LOL. He hates peas otherwise. I can see why your kiddos love this!
veggiesdontbite says
It’s such a great go to meal! We’ve done this forever. It’s actually an old post that we now make with my newest creamy Alfredo so I decided to reshoot and update it. But it’s still a weekly go to over here! And always having some of the sauce in the freezer is key! SO fast. Thanks mama!!
Peter Block says
We love a good mac N cheese in our house. I love the pop of color the peas provide.
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Peter!! Us too!
Jenn says
Perfect! We are a pea loving family too and they are so good mixed with creamy pasta! The perfect weeknight meal! Even better that there’s no whining involved!
veggiesdontbite says
No whining is key! My hubby actually is NOT a pea lover but I don’t worry about his whining. LOL. Thanks so much!