The perfect supercharged side to totally transform a midweek dinner, my cheesy peas recipe takes something simple and makes it ridiculously tasty.
So, if you’re on the lookout for a side dish with a difference – especially if you’re a cheese fan – look no further!
Products you need for this recipe
It’s a really simple recipe, but there are a few things you’re going to need before you start making this easy cheesy peas recipe:
- Large saucepan – a good saucepan is an absolute must!
- Colander – an indispensable piece of kit, you’ll need a colander to drain the peas
- Spoon/spatula – stirring is made all the easier with a real quality spoon. This one is great!
Cheesy peas recipe
Who’s old enough to remember the ‘Easy Cheesy Peas’ sketch on the Fast Show? The classic 90s comedy sketch show ripped the p%$$ out of the terrible advertising of the time, in hilarious fashion!
My very own ‘easy cheesy peas’ are a world away from tacky 90s grub. Instead, this recipe brings pure indulgent, gourmet flavour to a simple side dish. These are the tastiest peas you’ll ever eat and they’re guaranteed to become a firm family favourite!
Lashings of cream, melted cheddar and parmesan, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of a pepper mill and, not forgetting, the all-important peas. That’s it!
Bring these simple ingredients together and, with the melted cheese blending with the cream, you’ll be left with a dish to totally transform your dinner.
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Best of all, it’s one of those amazingly quick recipes. You can have this side dish on the table in just a few minutes!
What cheese is best for making cheesy peas?
You want to choose something that melts well. For me, cheddar is great, but mix it with parmesan and your cheesy peas are taken to another level!
If you like your cheese on the super strong side, you could always go for a blue cheese. Something like Stilton. Otherwise, something slightly sweet and mildly salty, like Gruyere or Gouda would also work well, as would the classic American cheese Monterey Jack.
Should I use frozen peas or fresh peas?
Cheesy peas work equally well with frozen or fresh peas. If you go with fresh peas, you’ll need to cook them for around 6 minutes, or until they’re tender. Then follow the rest of the steps of the recipe below.
Of course, frozen peas are a lot easier to get hold of. Unlike fresh peas, you can buy them all year round, which is why I’ve gone for frozen peas in this recipe.
How do you make this recipe extra decadent?
If you want to take this recipe into a whole new realm of decadence, you can double the amount of cream and cheese you put in.
How do you make it less decadent?
Just have peas! No, seriously, you can take things down a notch or two by replacing the cream with milk and the cheese with butter. Just use a little less milk than cream, as the sauce will end up too runny otherwise.
Can you freeze easy cheesy peas?
Nope. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to make these easy cheesy peas freeze. The sauce would not hold up well to freezing.
How do you store cheesy peas then?
If you end up with leftover cheesy peas, keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make sure you store them in an airtight container.
What other flavours can I add to cheesy peas?
Whether you're serving this as a side to a midweek meal or a full-on Sunday dinner, this is one of those recipes that can be adapted and tweaked to suit your taste.
If you want to add some herbs, I recommend mint. Peas and mint work really well together. A squeeze of lemon juice would bring some zestiness to the table, while you could also cook some crushed garlic into the sauce to add an extra earthy, savoury flavour.
More sensational side dish recipes
Need some more dishes to make your main dish extra marvellous? Feast your eyes on these!
- Macho peas – this fiery side is inspired by the Nando’s dish. It brings a whole load of character to the plate, the perfect accompaniment for a Sunday lunch
- Salt and pepper chips – a classic British/Chinese takeaway side, these spiced chips are absolute heaven! Hints of chilli, plenty of salt and an enticing blend of spices make it one you can’t afford to miss
- Pilau rice – a meal in its own right, pilau rice also takes a curry to another level. Fragrant, flavourful rice that will put a smile on your face
- Sauteed peppers and onions – a quick and tasty side that never fails to bring lots of flavour to a midweek dinner
📖 Recipe
Cheesy Peas
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
The perfect side to add to your dinner. My Cheesy Peas recipe is mouth watering and super easy to follow, great with a roast dinner.
Ingredients
- 680g (4 cups) frozen peas
- 125ml (½ cup) double cream
- 25g (¼ cup) Cheddar cheese, grated
- 25g (¼ cup) parmesan cheese, grated
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the peas and let the water reach a simmering point. Cook for 3 minutes then drain in a colander.
- While the peas are being drained in a colander, use the same pot and add the cream and cheeses.
- Stir until the cheese has dissolved in the cream and the cheesy sauce is bubbling.
- Tip the peas into the sauce and stir until all the peas are covered with cheesy goodness.
- Serve as a side dish immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- Alternatively, you can steam or microwave the peas.
- Of course, fresh peas always taste better. You need to cook them for 6 minutes or until they are tender, and follow the rest of the steps.
- Feel free to play with other types of cheese, such as Gouda, blue cheese such as Stilton, Gruyere or Monterey Jack.
- This is quite a decadent recipe but if you really want to push the boat out you can double the cream and cheese quantities to make it extra saucy - great for dipping other food in!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boil
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 155
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 616.3 mg
- Fat: 6.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 5.1 g
- Protein: 8.7 g
- Cholesterol: 18.4 mg
Wesley
It's always a struggle to get the kids to eat peas, I suppose the trick is to add cheese into the mix! Brilliant
Michelle Minnaar
Can be very frustrating Wesley I understand!
But like you say, cheese always helps 🙂