Spaghetti with mascarpone alfredo sauce tossed with sauce and fresh peas in a large dish.

Spaghetti with Mascarpone Alfredo Sauce and Sugar Snap Peas

Spaghetti with Mascarpone Alfredo Sauce and Sugar Snap Peas is an easy spaghetti dish that features mascarpone and crème fraiche instead of the traditional heavy cream.

Spaghetti with mascarpone alfredo sauce tossed with sauce and fresh peas in a large dish.
Spaghetti with Mascarpone Alfredo Sauce and Sugar Snap Peas

Spaghetti with Mascarpone Alfredo Sauce and Sugar Snap Peas is an easy spaghetti dish that features mascarpone and crème fraiche instead of the traditional heavy cream. It’s a great weeknight spaghetti recipe that is both decadent and satisfying.

Spaghetti with Mascarpone Alfredo Sauce and Sugar Snap Peas in a large Dutch oven dish.

This post first appeared July 14, 2013 as part of the Simple Sundays series. I hope you enjoy this favorite from my kitchen!

Unwelcome Visitor

I had an unwelcome visitor in my kitchen the other day. I noticed him as I stood by my stove, melting butter in a pan. He came uncomfortably close, a dark speck, fast and dangerously near. My spatula became my weapon, and I brandished it high, transforming into stealth ninja mode. How dare a fly enter my domain!

He landed, near one of the stove’s knobs, and I knew this was my moment.

SMACK!

One stroke and he was gone.

Fresh peas split open.

My inner Mr. Miyagi had emerged, and I was feeling oddly proud of my victory. No, there were no chopsticks, but I was happy to focus on my dinner again. A quick sanitation detail and I turned my attention to the butter that was fully melted on the stove.

Spaghetti with Mascarpone Alfredo Sauce and Sugar Snap Peas

It was dinner time and my cupboards were dreadfully bare. All that was left was a package of pasta, some leftover chicken, and a gorgeous mess of fresh peas from the farmer’s market. The refrigerator offered a tub of mascarpone cheese and a wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano. So I got to work on an Alfredo sauce.

A dish of Spaghetti with Mascarpone Alfredo Sauce topped with fresh peas.

Spaghetti with Mascarpone Alfredo Sauce and Sugar Snap Peas was born out of necessity but a reminder of how some of the simplest things can be decadent and satisfying. I don’t indulge in creamy sauces that often, but this sauce, without the traditional heavy cream, was buttery and delicious, and perfect for a weeknight supper. As for any flies…well, they’ll have to find their own dinner.

More Simple Pasta Recipes

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Tomato and Mozzarella Ravioli with Tomatoes, Baby Kale and Artichokes
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Spaghetti with Mascarpone Alfredo Sauce and Sugar Snap Peas

Spaghetti with Mascarpone Alfredo Sauce and Sugar Snap Peas is an easy spaghetti dish that features mascarpone and crème fraiche instead of the traditional heavy cream.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 799kcal

Ingredients

  • 12 oz spaghetti
  • 1 1/2 cups peas
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3/4 cup mascarpone
  • 1/4 cup crème fraîche
  • 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • shredded cooked chicken optional
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Salt generously and cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente.
  • Retrieve the pasta and drain in a colander, reserving the salted water in the pot.
  • Drop the peas into the pasta water and cook just a few moments until bright green and still with some bite.
  • Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the pasta water and drain the peas.
  • As the pasta is finishing its cooking, melt the butter in a deep sided sauté pan over medium low heat.
  • Stir in the mascarpone and crème fraîche and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Once the sauce is creamy, add the spaghetti and peas and toss to coat. If adding shredded chicken, add it as well.
  • Add the pasta water, 1/2 cup at a time, adding in increments until the desired consistency is reached.
  • Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Adapted from Fettucine Alfredo, Gourmet (October, 2008) and Mascarpone Cream Sauce, Food.com.

Nutrition

Calories: 799kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 537mg | Potassium: 360mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1770IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 400mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see! Tag @kitchconfidante on Instagram and hashtag it #kitchenconfidante

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  1. Eileen

    This kind of simple pasta is exactly what I want for dinner after a long day! So delicious & quick & soporific. :)

    Reply
  2. Simone

    I’m suddenly getting visions of you chasing that nasty fly with chopsticks… :) That spaghetti looks totally delicious! Love meals like that.

    Reply
  3. Mindy

    Some of the best meals I’ve ever eaten come out of scrounging through cupboards and the fridge when I haven’t been to the grocery store. I love the creativity of it. Simple ingredients become masterpieces.
    It’s funny you should mention Mr. Miyagi. My sister and BIL just got home from a visit with family in San Diego and my BIL’s BIL (that looks weird typed out) got video of himself catching a fly with chopsticks. He’s half Chinese and married to a Filipina, so I suppose it was inevitable. Ha.
    Have a good week!

    Reply
  4. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com

    Divine and so delicious!! Love when simple, fresh ingredients makes for the best meals :)

    I chuckled so loudly while reading about the fly. It has to find it’s own dinner ;)

    Reply
  5. Marcie

    This dish looks amazing! Normally I don’t do too many cream based sauces because they’re so rich, but I love mascarpone and creme fraiche, plus you’ve freshened it up with those fabulous veggies. I would love this.

    Reply
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