Olive oil and garlic linguine is served atop an easy vegan whipped pea ricotta. This quick recipe makes a flavorful and delicious dinner, and is easily made gluten free!
I’m of the opinion that the internet needs more pasta recipes. Particularly those that involve olive oil and garlic linguine on beds of vegan whipped ricotta!! And so, I am here for you with this tasty dish!
This delicious combo was born after I had some serious pea ricotta cravings. The creamy, sweet pea and soft cheese combo is so good I’m hard put to not just eat it straight with a spoon.
But it gets even better when twirled around garlicky pasta. The salty, slippery, garlic noodles pair with the mild creamy vegan ricotta so perfectly. I just can’t get enough!
Which is good, because the vegan whipped pea ricotta does make quite a bit. Enough for two rounds of the pasta, or extra for topping toasts, layering into lasagnas, or other dishes. No complaints here, but you can always half the ricotta if you need.
This might be the perfect recipe for spring. The peas are fresh tasting and it’s a quick recipe that won’t have you laboring stovetop for long.
First, make the vegan whipped pea ricotta.
In our vegan green pea ricotta we have: sweet peas, tofu, cashews, olive oil, garlic, salt, and basil. Yep that’s right. Just 7 easy ingredients. And one step: blend.
The recipe starts with your typical creamy, savory, soft vegan ricotta. With tofu as the creamy base, enriched with cashews and a drizzle of olive oil. Salt and garlic for seasoning.
Then we add green peas and basil to the mix. Frozen peas are easy to find year round and I’ll usually use them in this recipe. But if you can find shelled peas and want to use those, be my guest!
If using frozen, defrost your peas first. You can either let them sit out on the counter for a bit or quickly heat them in the microwave or stovetop.
The peas sweeten the ricotta and the basil adds to the fresh flavor.
Stick the vegan whipped pea ricotta in the fridge until you’re ready to use. The ricotta thickens a bit as it chills. I also happen to love it cold and paired with the hot noodles.
Next, cook the linguine.
Once the ricotta is ready to go, bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta to package directions. You’ll want to cook it within 1 minute of being perfectly done as you’ll finish the cooking once the pasta is added to the sauce.
Right before draining the pasta, scoop out about 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water and set aside for your sauce.
Lastly, we work on the sauce.
The olive oil and garlic sauce cooks so quickly, that you’ll want to cook it right as the pasta is finished, or maybe in the last minute if you’re really confident about your multitasking abilities.
This recipe is 100% inspired by aglio e olio, which might be simple food at its best!
The garlic is thinly sliced and fried at a low heat in a good amount of olive oil. As soon as it turns a couple darker to a light golden color, add the red pepper flakes and let those fry for 30 seconds.
The garlic will only cook for 2-3 minutes. There’s a fine balance between raw garlic and over cooked/burnt garlic. The prior will make for a very pungent and overpowering garlicky dish. The latter will turn bitter and a bit unpleasant.
This is why you want to be ready with the pasta cooking water, about a cup of which gets added as soon as the red pepper flakes have sizzled for half a minute.
Bring it to a boil, and let it boil for a couple of minutes to reduce slightly. Then add the cooked linguine, turn the heat down to low and let it cook and the sauce absorb into the pasta, about 1 minute.
Once the pasta is perfectly done and coated in sauce, turn the heat off and add the parsley and vegan parmesan (or nutritional yeast). Taste it and add salt if it needs any, but if you’ve salted the pasta water well then you might find it doesn’t need anything!
It’s not a difficult recipe to get right, just something you want to keep a close eye on as it cooks!
And then we plate!
Spread some vegan whipped pea ricotta on the bottom of a plate or bowl. Top with the olive oil and garlic linguine. Sprinkle with a bit more vegan parmesan, parsley, salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to taste. Then dig in!
I’m obsessed.
If you make this garlic linguine with vegan whipped pea ricotta, leave a comment below and rate the recipe on the recipe card. And please share your photos with me on Instagram, tag @thecuriouschickpea and #thecuriouschickpea. I love seeing your recreations!
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Garlic Linguine with Vegan Whipped Pea Ricotta
This delicious pasta recipe couldn't be easier! A olive oil and garlic linguine is served atop a whipped sweet pea ricotta for a fresh tasting dinner.
Ingredients
Vegan Whipped Pea Ricotta
- 3/4 cup cashews
- 1 lb firm tofu
- 2 cups green peas (defrosted if frozen)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp minced fresh basil
Garlic Olive Oil Linguine
- 1 lb linguine, gluten free optional
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/2-1 tsp red pepper flakes, to taste
- salt, to taste
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley, extra for garnish
- 1/2 cup vegan parmesan or 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- toasted pine nuts, to serve (optional)
Instructions
Vegan whipped pea ricotta:
- In a food processor or blender combine all the ingredients and process until fairly smooth, pausing to scrape down as needed. It's ok if it's a bit grainy. Transfer to a container and store in fridge until ready to use.
Garlic olive oil linguine:
- Cook the pasta according to package directions in well salted water, until 1 minute from being done. Remove 1 1/2 cups of pasta water to reserve, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Heat a skillet large enough to accommodate the pasta (otherwise use a shallow pot) over low. Add the olive oil and the garlic, and cook for 1-3 minutes, stirring almost constantly and keeping a close eye on the garlic so it doesn't burn.
- Once the garlic is a pale golden in color, add the red pepper flakes and let cook for 30 seconds. Carefully pour in 1 cup of reserved pasta water and bring to a boil, turn the heat up to medium if needed. Let boil for about 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta, turn the heat down to medium-low and toss to combine. Once the sauce has absorbed somewhat into the pasta and it is perfectly cooked, about 1 minute, turn the heat off. Add the parsley and vegan parmesan (or nutritional yeast) and toss to combine. Taste and add salt if desired.
To serve:
- Add some pea ricotta to the bottom of a plate or bowl. Top with hot pasta, then garnish with some fresh parsley or basil and toasted pine nuts.
Notes
The recipe for the whipped pea ricotta makes about 2x what you'll need to serve with a pound of pasta, but use extra to make the recipe again, or enjoy it on toast, as a pasta sauce itself, stuffed into shells or between lasagna noodles, or wherever your creativity takes you!
Toast pine nuts at 325 ºF for about 5 minutes or until they are a couple of shades darker. Alternatively, roast over a dry skillet on low heat.
Whipped pea ricotta is adapted from my pea ricotta stuffed shells with red wine marinara.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 403
Nutrition is calculated automatically so should be used as an estimate.
Becca
Monday 1st of March 2021
I just wanted to come and say that I’ve made this recipe probably 10+ times since I discovered it early last year, and it’s basically my favourite meal to make! If I make a batch of this ricotta I’ll happily eat it every night until it’s gone. This recipe has improved my life by at least 500% and I would just like to thank you for that
MJ
Sunday 15th of November 2020
Hi, since the pea ricotta makes double what is needed for the recipe, can it be frozen to use another time? Thank you. MJ
MJ
Monday 16th of November 2020
Made this recipe and it was very good. I did add a bit more salt and basil to the ricotta as the taste was not pronounced enough and also a squeeze of lemon juice which gave it even more freshness. Overall, great recipe and will make it again.
Genevieve
Tuesday 16th of June 2020
This was really tasty and a huge success, even in my omnivorous, cheese-loving, household! Even the child who despises peas went for a second helping. As a variation, I've played with the ricotta recipe by soaking the cashews for a few hours (makes it creamier if you have the extra time) and added 2 tsp each of lemon juice and lemon zest for a bit more acidity to offset the spicy noodles. So good!
Amanda
Sunday 17th of May 2020
This is one of my family’s all time favorites! Simple, easy and unbelievably delicious! Thank you so much for sharing.
Lyn
Saturday 25th of April 2020
This is going to be our go to comfort food! Loved it!