Company Peas
A creamy, cheesy casserole featuring peas, mushrooms, almonds, and pimentos, perfect for family dinners or potlucks with its comforting flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Saute chopped onions in margarine until translucent.
- Mix drained peas, mushroom soup, grated Colby cheese, sauteed onions, slivered almonds, chopped pimento, and melted margarine together.
- Place the mixture in a casserole dish.
- Bake in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 30 minutes until heated through and bubbly.
Tips & Substitutions
For an extra depth of flavor, consider adding garlic while sautéing the onions. You can substitute the Colby cheese with cheddar for a sharper taste. If you're looking for a lighter version, use low-fat mushroom soup and margarine. You can also add frozen peas instead of canned for a fresher taste, just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is a great side for holiday meals or gatherings and pairs beautifully with Broccoli Pierre. Serve it alongside roasted meats or a simple salad for a balanced meal. For a vegetarian twist, serve it with Fried Potato Cakes (Fritters) for a hearty, comforting dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place in a microwave-safe dish and warm in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes until warmed and bubbly.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Company Peas contains roughly 960 calories, with 20g protein, 39g carbohydrates, and 83g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (40% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (36% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (22% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1499mg per serving (65% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the mixture a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just bake it when you're ready to serve. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. However, if you do this, you may need to adjust the baking time slightly as it will be chilled when it goes in the oven.
Can I use fresh peas instead of canned?
Absolutely! If using fresh peas, blanch them briefly in boiling water until tender, then drain and use in the recipe. This will give your dish a fresher flavor and a lovely vibrant color. Just ensure they're fully cooked before mixing with the other ingredients.
What can I substitute for slivered almonds?
If you don’t have slivered almonds, you can use chopped walnuts or pecans as a substitute for a different texture and flavor. For a nut-free option, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds will provide a nice crunch and are a great alternative in this recipe.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).