Categories: Main Course Recipes Vegetarian-Friendly Recipes

Pasta with Creamy Basil Sauce

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not really a foodie. Don’t get me wrong, I love food, and I don’t mind cooking, but most of the time, in the midst of a busy day/week/month/year, I just want food that tastes good, whips up fast, doesn’t use a ton of dishes and does use simple and cost effective ingredients.

This easy pasta with Creamy Basil Sauce definitely fits the bill! With just a few ingredients and in less then 30 minutes you’ll have a meal that’s even “fancy” enough to serve to guests.

Here is what you need:

1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 cup grape tomatoes
1 box pasta
1/2 cup milk
2 8oz. packages of garlic/herb flavored spreadable cheese
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 small onion, diced
salt & pepper to taste
1 TBS butter

Step 1: Dice onion, slice tomatoes, and chop basil then set aside.

Step 2: Melt butter in large sauce pan then add onion, tomatoes, 1/4 cup of fresh basil and peas. Once peas have softened, remove from pan and set aside in a medium size bowl.

Step 4: Then add both packages of spreadable cheese to pan along with milk. Stir until combined.

Step 5: Season with salt & pepper. Then add tomato and pea mixture back into pan and cook for 10-15 minutes on medium low heat.  Cook pasta according to package, drain and add to pan with sauce.

Step 7: Spoon pasta into bowls and top with remaining fresh basil.

Pasta with Creamy Basil Sauce

This simple pasta dish comes together so quickly and is sure to be a new family favorite.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Pasta with Creamy Basil Sauce
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fresh basil chopped
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes
  • 1 box pasta
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 8 oz. packages of garlic/herb flavored spreadable cheese
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 small onion diced
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tbs. butter

Instructions

  1. Dice onion, slice tomatoes, and chop basil then set aside.
  2. Melt butter in large sauce pan then add onion, tomatoes, 1/4 cup of fresh basil and peas. Once peas have softened, remove from pan and set aside in a medium size bowl.
  3. Then add both packages of spreadable cheese to pan along with milk. Stir until combined.
  4. Season with salt & pepper. Then add tomato and pea mixture back into pan and cook for 10-15 minutes on medium low heat. Cook pasta according to package, drain and add to pan with sauce.
  5. Spoon pasta into bowls and top with remaining fresh basil.

Ruth Soukup

Ruth Soukup is dedicated to helping people everywhere create a life they love by follwing their dreams and achieving their biggest goals. She is the host of the wildly popular Do It Scared podcast, as well as the founder of Living Well Spending Less® and Elite Blog Academy®. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of six books, including Do It Scared®: Finding the Courage to Face Your Fears, Overcome Obstacles, and Create a Life You Love, which was the inspiration for this book. She lives in Florida with her husband Chuck, and 2 daughters Maggie & Annie.

View Comments

  • What would be your suggestion as an alternative to the spreadable cheese? Would cream cheese be similar enough?
    In terms of being budget friendly, I don't typically look at spreadable cheese, so I don't keep it on hand.

    This looks like a great recipe, but I'd love to have an alternative for the cheese.

    • Yes, you could use a whipped cream cheese and just be sure to add fresh herds like basil or parsley to the whipped cream cheese along with some garlic powder and black pepper.

  • This recipe looks and sounds delish! Can't wait to give it a try.

    • It is so super simple and tastes amazing!! I hope you enjoy it. :)

    • Please let us know what you think once you've tried it. :)

Share
Published by
Ruth Soukup

Recent Posts

  • Holiday Resources

Our LWSL Holiday Planner is back (but only for a limited time!)

Have you heard the news? It’s the 12th Anniversary of our LWSL Holiday Planner! For…

2 years ago
  • Archived

Favorite 5 – Organizational Tools

LWSL & Co. Favorite 5 It seems crazy that it's fall already, but we can…

2 years ago
  • Archived

Favorite 5 – Things We Use Every Day

Lisa's Favorite 5 I'm a busy wife, mom, and gigi, so I'm all about finding…

2 years ago
  • Fix Your Budget

Stop Worrying About Money

Feeling like your finances are out of control can be downright scary. Don't miss these…

2 years ago
  • Archived

Favorite 5 – Mama’s Me Time Necessities

Amanda's Favorite 5 Do you spend so much time pouring into everyone else in your…

2 years ago
  • Archived

Favorite 5 – Gifts for Dads

Danny's Favorite 5 Need some gift ideas for the Dads in your life? I've got…

2 years ago

Simplify your life in just 3 simple steps. Get our Living Well Starter Guide, absolutely free!

GET IT HERE