Crème Fraîche Pasta With Peas and Scallions

Crème Fraîche Pasta With Peas and Scallions
Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Judy Kim.
Total Time
30 minutes
Rating
4(1,534)
Notes
Read community notes

Here’s an easy weeknight pasta featuring crème fraîche, the richer, slightly less tangy cousin of sour cream. It’s combined with Parmesan, lemon zest and starchy pasta cooking water for a sauce that is creamy, velvety and bright. Whole bunches of scallions caramelize until their edges char, lending sweetness and a hint of smoke, while raw scallions add color as a garnish. To preserve the brightness of the peas, throw them in the pasta cooking water at the very end and drain along with the shells. Plan appropriately, and the sauce and scallions can be prepared in the time it takes the pasta to cook.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 3bunches scallions (about 12 ounces)
  • 3tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1pound medium shells pasta
  • 1cup finely grated Parmesan
  • ¾cup crème fraîche
  • 1lemon, zested (about 2 teaspoons zest), then quartered
  • 1cup frozen peas
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

534 calories; 20 grams fat; 8 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 8 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 68 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 6 grams sugars; 22 grams protein; 532 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.

  2. Step 2

    Trim the scallions. Thinly slice 1 or 2 scallions on the diagonal and set aside for garnish. Cut the remaining scallions into ½-inch-long pieces.

  3. Step 3

    In a large cast-iron skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Add the ½-inch scallion pieces, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until scallions start to caramelize, soften and brown in spots, about 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside.

  4. Step 4

    Once the water comes to a boil, add the pasta and reduce the heat to medium-high. Cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.

  5. Step 5

    While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce: In a large bowl, add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, the Parmesan, crème fraîche and lemon zest; mix to combine. Stir in ½ cup of the hot reserved pasta water until the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the charred scallions.

  6. Step 6

    When the pasta is done, add the peas to the water and turn off the heat. Immediately drain the pasta and peas together, and add them to the sauce in the large bowl. Toss thoroughly to combine, adding more reserved pasta water as desired to loosen the sauce to a silky texture. Season to taste.

  7. Step 7

    Serve immediately. Divide among bowls and top with more pepper and reserved sliced scallions. Serve with the lemon wedges, for squeezing on top.

Ratings

4 out of 5
1,534 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

From the substitution guide: "Tangy, textural ingredients like crema, crème fraîche, mascarpone, Neufchâtel, Quark, queso fresco, sour cream or yogurt of any variety can be used interchangeably."

Wow is this lovely. I had tons of CSA scallions and this recipe was the answer. As my team likes meat in main course, I added fried diced pancetta. Follow the recipe exactly for timing on scallion cooking, and don’t be afraid to add a minute or two.

Creme fraiche on pasta was the fashion of the 80s... not part of any Italian recipe. Use only natural ricotta, from sheep if you wish a more salty taste, you will never go wrong.

The lemon zest is a brilliant counterpoint to the caramelized onion…we only have white onions here in France, but thoroughly delish…Merci, Sam Sifton and crew!

Instead of waiting for the pasta to be "done" and adding a cup of pasta water, take the pasta out while just short of al dente, add it to the sauce in the pan and continue cooking (and stirring) until done, adding the water only as needed, about 1/4 cup at a time. This way the sauce enters into the pasta rather than just sitting on top, and it won't be too watery.

This just got added to our favorites list. Would recommend adding the pasta water to the creme fraiche mixture by tablespoonfuls to get the consistency you prefer. It was a little watery for our tastes. Definitely use a cast iron pan to sear the scallions — imparts a lovely rusticity and delicious flavor.

Love this dish—followed instructions to a T. The consistency of the sauce was ideal, looser and lighter than an Alfredo or traditional cream sauce, which is what makes it perfect for summer, or anytime really. It’s rich without sitting in your stomach like a brick! Will be using this as a base white sauce for no-recipe nights. I love how the peas nestle into the shells for little bursts of flavour, and I think little pieces of asparagus would make a nice sub if that’s what you have.

Delicious recipe. I couldn't find crème fraîche anywhere, so I substituted sour cream. I added thin sliced garlic (3 large cloves) when I cooked the scallions, and I added chopped bacon (4 strips) to the sauce. The other thing I'd change next time is to double the amount of peas.

Hot diggity this was good. I was wary of adding the parm before the hot liquid, so I mixed it in after. Did everything else by the letter. The only thing I’d change is NOT adding the fresh scallions for garnish. I felt it overwhelmed the amazingly tasty sauce. This one is a keeper. Just don’t plan to eat it with anyone you don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of by eating too much!

To add some heft to make as a main course I added canned sardines. Lemon really is the prize in this light and easy dish.

Yummy, easy and delicious! Thinking I'll add some red pepper flakes to the leftovers to give it a little kick. Good summer dish!

Perfect recipe! Excellent quick and easy week night dish plus helps to use up scallions before they wither away in the produce drawer. Great dish to build on…I added some parsley next time around I plan on adding some Asparagus, and mint.

This was easy to throw together and pleasing! The lemon zest is key. Only thing I did differently: after cooking up the scallions, I pushed them to the side of the pan and cooked up some shrimp for a bit of added protein. The shrimp worked well with the rest of the flavors.

I used sour cream (had it on hand), and added diced chicken breast for protein, browning it with the scallions. Cut recipe by a third for two people. Turned out great! Delicious!

Does this comment relate to Crème Fraîche with Pasta & Scallions?

Fabulous!! Very easy. Used sour cream instead of crème fraiche. And had a handful of sugar snap peas from the garden that I added to the frozen peas. A little sprinkle of fresh basil did the trick! A definite addition to the rotation.

Wow this was delicious, one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever made from this site. I used about half as many scallions as the recipe called for and it was still amazing. I was lazy and scooped the cooked pasta right into the bowl with a wide mesh spoon strainer so it was really watery, but I cooked it down for a couple minutes in a pot and it was perfect, and no gloppy-ness that usual happens with creamy sauces.

Fantastic recipe! Followed it to the letter and it's a keeper. Might add garlic to the scallions next time. Easy to make for company and just fancy enough!

This is a keeper! I had leftovers and added finely chopped Tarragon. I could easily add shrimp to this dish.

More peas. Thin. Added flour.

It's okay, but not a keeper.

Sauté the scallions in an iron skillet

Absolutely delicious! Only had two bunches of scallions at home and would not have minded having more. Rather than mix the cheese in a large bowl, I just added a couple tbsp of pasta water to the Le Cruset braiser I used to char the onions and then mixed the sauce in there. Threw the pasta and peas in, adjusted thickness with more pasta water and had one less bowl to clean. This is a simple and quick recipe that comes together in less than a half hour.

I had no creme freshe so I substituted the only thing I had, which was 0% fat Greek yogurt and it was SMASHING! I also didn't have scallions, so I used shallots, and still SMASHING! I think this might be a foolproof recipe! Loved it!

Exceptional - especially with fresh shelling peas, herbs (added marjoram), and scallions, all from my CSA today. As good as being in Italy.

Amazing recipe exactly as written!

Pretty unremarkable. You have to double everything to coax any flavor out of it. Not distinctly tangy (creme) or salty (cheese) or savory (onion). Meh.

This method of charring the scallions is now my go to for a number of dishes, since I've developed a potential intolerance to garlic and other forms of onion (sad face). It is tasty and versatile and FODMAP friendly if you only use the green parts!

Wonderful! Store out of crème fraiche so added a splash of cream and a large Tbsp of Greek plain yogurt to sour cream. Seemed to work nicely.

Very nice. Had fresh green beans so I snapped them into 1/2 pieces, and also cut the recipe down. Served with fleica and it was lovely! Will def make again.

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