Creamed Peas and Potatoes was always a favorite side dish growing up. Our mom would add fresh peas from our garden along with tender chunks of beautiful red potatoes. It’s a terrific dish to serve with baked chicken, turkey, roasted pork, meat loaf or steak. We have even served this for Easter dinner. On multiple occasions. It’s easy to make, very inexpensive, and always a crowd pleaser!
Ingredients in Creamed Peas and Potatoes
It only takes a few simple pantry ingredients to create this delicious, creamy side dish. This is what you need:
Red potatoes or baby red potatoes (also called new potatoes) Peas Butter Flour Milk Salt and black pepper
The Creamy Sauce for Peas and Potatoes
To make the sauce for creamed peas and potatoes, start with a roux made from melted butter and flour. Gradually whisk in the milk (or cream) until you reach the perfect creamy consistency. Season the sauce with salt and pepper for a well-balanced flavor profile. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg or fresh or dried herbs like thyme or parsley. For a cheesy twist, stir in grated Parmesan, cheddar, or Gruyere cheese at the end until melted and smooth.
How To Make Creamed Peas (Only)
If you want to skip the potatoes and make this dish with only peas, it’s easy to do (and delicious).
Tips and Suggestions For This Recipe
Uniform Slicing: Slice the potatoes into even pieces to ensure they cook evenly and maintain a consistent creamy texture. Cooking Technique: Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are fork-tender but not overly mushy. Overcooking can lead to a less desirable texture. Add Cream or Milk: Use whole milk, half and half or cream to create a rich and creamy base for the dish. Seasoning: Season the dish with salt, pepper, and any other preferred herbs and spices. Garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, or parsley are excellent choices. Creamy Sauce Enhancements: Consider adding grated cheese, such as cheddar or Parmesan, to the sauce for an extra layer of creaminess and flavor. You can even add some Gruyere or a few tablespoons of cream cheese. Pea Selection: Fresh, garden peas are divine in this recipe but you can easily use frozen peas too. They’re crisp, vibrant and so yummy! Blanch Fresh Peas: If you’re using fresh peas, be sure to blanch them first. To blanch the peas, boil them for 90 seconds in rapidly boiling water. Immediately add the peas to the recipe, or cool them for later use by placing them in an ice bath until cooled. Gentle Mixing: Stir the peas into the creamy potatoes gently to avoid mashing the potatoes and maintain their smooth texture. Pearl Onion Addition: I have made this recipe several times with pearl onions for a little added flavor. Sometimes my kids don’t love the onions, but because they are big and easy to see, they just brush the onions to the side. To add onion, you can just get a small bag of frozen pearl onions and boil them for 5 minutes (or according to package instructions). Add the cooked onions when you add the potatoes in the recipe. Make it a Meal: To make this side dish more of a main dish, add diced ham or cooked bacon bits. Potluck Prep: This recipe is easy to adjust for crowds if you need a side dish for a pot luck. It also makes yummy leftovers!
Heath Benefits of Peas and Potatoes
Peas and potatoes actually have tremendous health benefits! Peas are a good source of vitamin K, manganese, fiber, vitamins B1, B6, B2, and vitamin C. There are many good reasons your mother told you to eat your peas! Peas are low in calories, low in fat, high in fiber, and high in protein. And potatoes! They have more potassium than a banana. Because potatoes are high in fiber, the help lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease. Potatoes are also high in vitamin C and vitamin B6. You can feel great about preparing this healthy dish for your family! Read More: 60+ Potato Recipes
More Potato Side Dishes
I tend to get in a rut of turning to baked potatoes or mashed potatoes as a side dish. Potatoes are so versatile and go well with many vegetables. Here are a few of our favorites:
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Parmesan Garlic Grilled Potatoes
Cheesy Potato Casserole
How to Make Creamed Peas and Potatoes
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