Crème Fraîche Pasta With Peas and Scallions Recipe (2024)

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Jordan

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."

SaratogaTB

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.

Fabrizio

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.

Bill

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!

David S

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.

ssstrom

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.

Divine

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.

RFINPRC

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.

Jennifer

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.

Jenn L

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!

Curt

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

Meshaka

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.

Mike661

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!

K in NYC

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.

Pat Lewis

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

Mary

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.

Susie Moloney

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!

Bella

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

Cf

Amazing recipe exactly as written!

Kat

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.

Laysha

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!

Susan

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.

Betsy

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.

Shari

Can leeks be added to this recipe?

Susie Moloney

I think they would be delicious! This feels like a really flexible recipe to me, I used shallots and yogurt!

John

Simple. Elegant. I made this as written with the exception of using fresh snow peas and scallions from the garden. A delightful summer rotation.

FH Cyclist

This was OK. I have other better white sauce recipes. I will remember caramelizing the onions.

Julia

This was pretty good, I had to use herbed goat cheese as that's all I had and I didn't use the full amount and it really turned out well. I went light on the lemon cuz I don't like a really lemony taste but the charred scallions balanced the sauce perfectly. Timing is important on this but don't be afraid to take sear the scallions as the longer they cook the more flavor will develop. I would make this again.

Alicia P.

It was fine just . . . kinda boring. I guess we don’t like scallions as much as you kind of have to to love this. Which seems obvious, but . . . I think I would’ve liked it more with one bunch of scallions and two more bunches of . . . bacon.

Betsy

Lovely! Add a few extra herbs along with the scallions at the end because I had them - basil and parsley. Definitely will need the pasta water. I added fresh peas because they are in season - dinner guests had seconds.

Anne

This time, I used Greek yogurt, added fresh asparagus, and used cheese tortelinni. I was out of this world.

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Crème Fraîche Pasta With Peas and Scallions Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you use crème fraîche instead of cream in pasta? ›

Crème Fraîche Pasta Recipe

I like to use crème fraîche instead of cream in pasta for every day dishes. It's lighter and also has a lovely fresh flavour.

What is crème fraîche used for? ›

Creme fraiche is commonly used a number of ways: Mixed into soups and pan sauces to thicken them. Blended with herbs and citrus as a topping for meat. Mixed with spices as a creamy salad dressing.

Can you heat crème fraîche? ›

Creme fraiche has a high-fat content, and therefore, you can use high heat without fear. And, once you start experimenting with creme fraiche, you may discover that its fuller and deeper flavor starts edging sour cream out of your list of favorites.

Can I substitute crème fraîche for double cream? ›

However you can substitute creme fraiche as an alternative and there will be very little difference in taste, but the tarts may be slightly richer due to the higher fat content of the creme fraiche.

Do Italians use crème fraîche? ›

There is no Italian equivalent of creme fraiche, in the same way as there is no 'Spanish equivalent' of mayonnaise or 'French equivalent' of Worcestershire sauce. The real question is whether you can find creme fraiche in Italy and the answer, if not a blatant no, is that it is extremely difficult.

Is crème fraîche healthier than cream? ›

Double cream has a higher fat content – around 48-50 per cent, and it's not commonly available here. Crème fraîche, on the other hand, is cream that's had a culture added, making it slightly sour in flavour. It's around 40 per cent fat. If you're trying to cook healthily, however, cream is not an everyday ingredient.

What is the American version of crème fraîche? ›

Sour cream (which has less fat) is the best and easiest substitute, but it's not as rich or tangy as crème fraîche. Full-fat plain Greek yogurt is another substitute, but it doesn't have the same smooth texture or mild flavor.

What is crème fraîche called in USA? ›

Crème fraîche (pronounced "krem fresh") is a version of sour cream with a higher fat content, which makes it good for cooking because it is less prone to curdling when you simmer it. While it looks similar to sour cream, crème fraîche is thicker, richer, and tastes less tangy than sour cream.

Does crème fraîche curdle when cooked? ›

Use crème fraîche for soups and sauces where you need a creamy element and a thickener because you can boil it with no risk of it curdling. Crème fraîche is also excellent in scrambled eggs, salad dressings and as a topping.

Should you refrigerate crème fraîche? ›

Storage and Handling

Typically, crème fraîche will keep for up to eight weeks, if refrigerated. If separation occurs, gently stir the liquid back into the crème fraîche. If any mold forms on the surface of the crème fraîche, discard it immediately.

Does crème fraîche split when cooked? ›

Generally when cooking with cream you need a cream with a higher fat content, single (light) cream, low fat creme fraiche, sour cream and half and half will all tend to split if heated to boiling point so you need to use double or heavy cream or full fat creme fraiche.

What is a good substitute for crème fraîche in pasta? ›

Full-fat Greek yogurt: Though it isn't nearly as rich as crème fraiche, you can use full-fat Greek yogurt as an alternative in a pinch. Substitute on a 1:1 ratio.

What is crème fraîche in English? ›

A literal translation of crème fraîche is "fresh cream." However, in French-speaking countries, crème fraîche may refer to either: (A) the thick fermented product, crème fraîche épaisse or fermentée, or (B) a liquid cream, crème fraîche liquide or fleurette.

Can I use sour cream instead of crème fraîche? ›

If you can't find crème fraîche at your local grocery store, sour cream can be used as a 1:1 substitute, and vice versa. Just keep in mind that sour cream is a bit more sour in flavor and less rich than crème fraîche. "Crème fraîche can substitute in any recipe that calls for sour cream," suggests Druart.

What can I use instead of cream for creamy pasta? ›

Crème fraîche and sour cream are both excellent alternatives to heavy cream. They bring a lovely tangy flavour to your pasta while maintaining a creamy texture. These options work particularly well with dishes that benefit from a touch of acidity.

Can I use creme fraiche instead of double cream in pasta sauce? ›

If you don't have double cream, use single cream or crème fraîche instead. Soft cheese, such as cream cheese, can be used as alternative too – it's richer than the cream, so 100g/3½oz should be plenty, along with an extra splash of water.

Does creme fraiche taste the same as cream? ›

Crème fraîche is usually made with cream that has at least a 30% fat content. This creates a product that is naturally thicker and creamier in flavour, with a lower level of acidity than sour or soured cream, although not too dissimilar in favour, crème fraîche is a little higher in fat, and so creamier.

What can I add instead of cream to pasta? ›

15 Best Substitutes For Heavy Cream in Pasta
  1. Half and Half (+ optional butter and flour) Half and half is a great option because it's made from half cream and half milk (whole milk). ...
  2. Milk + Corn Starch. ...
  3. Milk + Flour + Butter. ...
  4. Greek Yogurt + Milk. ...
  5. Cream Cheese. ...
  6. Sour Cream. ...
  7. Silken Tofu + Plant-Based Milk. ...
  8. Coconut Milk.
Jun 23, 2022

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