Creamy Potatoes and Peas were a favorite side dish growing up. It is creamy comfort food at it’s best, especially with peas fresh from the garden.
I loved these creamy potatoes and peas as a side dish when we were growing up. Of course, it tastes best with fresh, garden peas but frozen peas work fine too. If you are using garden peas, be sure to blanch them first. This is a great dish to serve with any kind of meat – chicken, turkey, pork, or steak. It taste especially good as a side dish to meat loaf or for Easter dinner.
Many people make these with heavy cream or half-and-half to make them extra creamy but I like to use skim milk. I honestly can’t taste that much of a difference but I know the calorie difference is huge. This is so great for kids of all ages. It is easy to mash up if you have a child that prefers mashed potatoes or for babies (my 10-month old LOVES this stuff). It is a great alternative to your typical baked potato side dish. It is easy to adjust the recipe for crowds if you are needing a side dish for a potluck. Another benefit to this recipe is that it is inexpensive to make.
Did you know peas have some great health benefits? They 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. Peas have anti-inflammatory properties and they are good for digestion and eye-sight. Peas also prevent hair loss and can help in the prevention of diseases like Alzheimer’s, arthritis, and stomach cancer.
Potatoes are also so good for you! 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!
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:
- Pesto Potatoes – These diced potatoes are coated in pesto and roasted to perfection. So easy and packed with flavor!
- Roasted Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts – Another easy side dish! The bacon adds a tasty dimension – a must try!
- Roasted Red Caesar Potatoes – Red pepper, Caesar salad dressing, and Parmesan cheese flakes give these potatoes a unique Italian zest.
- Grilled Foil Ranch Potatoes – These potatoes are great in the summer. Throw them on the grill at your next BBQ. The packets can be loaded with bacon, ham, onions, peppers, and/or cheese. The clean-up is so easy!
- Parmesan Baked Potato Halves – This is one of the most popular recipes on our site. The potato halves are cooked in butter and Parmesan cheese giving the potatoes a crispy, flavorful topping.
How to make Creamy Potatoes and Peas
Creamy Potatoes and Peas
- 6-8 red potatoes cubed
- 3-4 Tbsp. butter
- 1/4 c. flour
- 1 c. milk or to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 c. peas fresh or frozen
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Boil potatoes in salted water until just done/fork tender, approximately 10-15 minutes depending on the size of your potato cubes (you don't want them overdone or they will get mushy real quick).
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Drain and set aside.
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In a medium-sized saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
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Slowly add flour, stirring, until flour/butter mixture becomes doughy (you may not need all the flour).
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SLOWLY add milk, whisking constantly until mixture becomes smooth and creamy. You want it to be a gravy consistency so add more milk if it seems too thick.
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Add salt and pepper, to taste.
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Add peas and bring to a slight simmer.
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Carefully fold creamy mixture into potatoes until potatoes become well covered and serve!
Kathy says
What a great idea for a side dish! I’m putting this on the menu! Looks delicious!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Love this! And even though this is technically a “side-dish”, I can happily make this dinner for myself!
Suzan says
I sometimes put pearl onions and dice ham and add to the dish and my family loves it.
Suzanne Woodring says
I made these for dinner and they are so good!! I will be making them again.
Terri Carter says
My mom use to make these all of the time, but especially when she made a pork roast. She’d call them “Cream Peas & Potatoes.” She would make them real creamy and they were so delicious!!
Donna L Haddock says
My favorite comfort food, Mom always put in diced cooked bacon.
Echo says
Adding bacon is a great idea! I’m going to do it next time I make this for my family – my kids will love it! Thanks for the tip!
Stephanie says
Add a little cheese…cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan, any kind and it will be even yummier!
sharon says
My family always have had new potatoes, peas and dumplings, made with
chicken broth.
Stephanie @ Stephanie's az kitchen says
i remember my grandmother making this years and years ago 🙂 haven’t had it in over 10 years – happy memories. I will try it 🙂
Regina Hendrickson says
I grew up eating this exact recipe and have never changed a thing. If I’m hungry for comfort food this or my mom’s homemade mac n cheese made with velvetta cheese. I have 4 grandkids they al LOVE the mac n cheese but the 2 youngest ones LOVE the creamed peas and potatoes. That’s what they ask for on their birthdays
Echo says
I love it when food brings back good, comforting memories! I’m glad you are carrying on the traditional with your grandkids. Thank you for sharing!
Shari Duncan says
My grandmother used to make this for me when I was little on her woodburning stove (she had an electric one but didn’t like to use it lol) I teared up a little when I saw this on pinterest, but it was b/c of happy memories!! I’m going to make this in the next couple of days! Thank you!
Oli Rusu says
Made this with few twicks and was FANTASTIC!
Replaced salt with consume de pollo, ad some fresh dill and fried turkey sausage. Served with fresh cucumber salad.
Ah-mazing!
Echo says
Yum! Thank you for sharing. I love your ideas for additions to the recipe!
Rori says
This sounds relish! Can you make this ahead of time and serve at room temp?
Echo says
You could make it ahead of time, refrigerate it, and reheat on the stove or in the microwave. I would be concerned about leaving at room temperature for too long because the milk will spoil and you don’t want anyone getting sick. Good question! Thank you!
Russ Johnson says
This recipe looks great…how many does this serve?
Erica says
It serves 4-6 as a side
Echo says
I plan on each person eating the equivalent of one potato. So if I’m using a medium to large red potato, I’ll use six in the recipe to serve six people. If the red potatoes I’m using are small, I use plan on two per person. I hope this helps. Thank you for asking!
Deidra says
Any way to do this dairy free?! Would almond milk work?
Echo says
I think almond milk would work great! Thank you for asking.
Randi says
Hi , I have never seen this recipe before. In the 50’s and 60’s my mother made this creamed peas with tuna fish (solid white) as an entire meal. My brother and I loved this dish and we still make it a couple of times a year for old times sake.
Echo says
I’ve had creamed peas and tuna before with pasta, basically a tuna casserole. Thank you for your comment!
Naida says
Just a Question, How much butter is used to melt exactly?
Echo says
I use 3 Tablespoons – but if you want it more buttery you can use 4 Tablespoons. Thank you for asking!
Greta S says
I’m making this tonight and adding cubed ham to it and making it a meal served with hawaiian rolls!
Echo says
Great idea!
Melody says
Thanks for bringing back wonderful memories of a favorite dish from my childhood, that I had forgotten all about! My mom made this and I can still taste it. I will try your recipe, I am sure it is just like her’s.
Echo says
Oh! That is so great. I hope you enjoy it!
Michelle says
i added a chopped onion and cooked in the potatoes. So good
Echo says
Thank you for the idea! I’m sure the onions added great flavor.
Stacy says
Made these last night and they were delicious!! I added some garlic but otherwise made it exactly as the recipe. I paired them with mini meat loaves. My husband loved them too. Thank you for a great recipe!
natasha says
Can you use regular potatoes i dont have red potatoes
Emily says
Yes, definitely
Curly says
My kids don’t like peas so I added cut green beans from cans instead, it is so good, love the creamy, velvet taste, thanks for the recipe.
Vicki medrano says
My mom use to make cream peas and potatoes all the time. Instead of a flour gravy she used a good quality instant potatoes to thicken the dish. Turned out delish.
Gina F. says
I made this today for tomorrow’s Easter lunch. I made 1.5 times the sauce because I was afraid some would be absorbed during the overnight stay in the fridge. Also, added some Herbs de Provence. Goodness gracious what a delicious dish. I finally had to put it in the refrigerator so I’d quit sneaking bites. This will be a lovely addition to the Easter table.
Ann R says
I added grated fresh nutmeg. My men folk were totally impressed. Thanks for the yummy idea.
Josie says
I’m excited to try this! I’m making it tonight.
LeAnne says
This looks so yummy. Could I use corn starch or almond flour in the place of wheat flour? We are allergic to gluten in our family.
Erica says
We haven’t done it that way before but if you have used the other flours as thickening agents before, it should be fine! I haven’t tried it with corn starch but I’d imagine it would be fine. 🙂
Aly says
This was absolutely DELISH!!! add some Italian Seasoning and some garlic chips – amazing!! most def a repeat side dish!! Thanks for the post!!
Erica says
You are very welcome 🙂 So glad you liked them!
Patty says
Do you think half & half would work or do you think it would be to sweet? I use it whenever I make mashed potatoes. This looks delicious. Thanks for a quick side dish!!
Rose Pritchett says
Love this recipe Thank you so much for sharing !
Erica says
You are very welcome 😀 So glad you like it!
Rebecca says
I’ve made this so many times I thought I would finally leave a comment. Thank you for this wonderful recipe. My hubs and I love it. My notes: I use 1 1/2 cups milk and I’ve learned to make sure my frozen peas are defrosted before putting them in. I use garlic salt instead of regular salt. I find that it adds just the right amount of flavour. I’ve tried adding sour cream but I didn’t like it in this recipe. Even just a little bit was overpowering and just plain unnecessary. Thanks again for this recipe. 🙂
Erica says
Thanks for your comment! Very good idea to make sure the peas are thawed. It seems like it would make it less watery. So glad you like this recipe!
Debb says
You can sauté some cabbage and add it to this, it is great my mom made it that way all the time.
Echo says
Yum, that sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Kell says
This is a great dish for late spring when you have new peas and taters in your garden. For an extra treat, add sliced new carrots, also. So good.
Jamie says
Can buttermilk be used instead of regular milk and butter? I have some leftover in my fridge and am looking for a way to use it up.
Echo says
I’ve never tried it with buttermilk, but I’m sure it will work. The taste will be slightly different but, if you like the taste of buttermilk, it will be great!
Kristine says
I add some prepared horseradish to the white sauce. Adds a little tangy flavor.
Favorite Family Recipes says
Oh yum! Great idea!
Cathy P Preston says
My Grandma made this all the time, a favorite then and now.
Lindze says
I think I’ll make this to pair with the ham that’s currently in the slow cooker. I’ll add garlic and onion to the white sauce and top with some Parmesan!
Favorite Family Recipes says
Oh yum– ham is the PERFECT pairing for this recipe! Let us know how it turned out for you!