Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pea Salad – Easy Italian

Traditional pea salad reaches a new level of deliciousness in this Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pea Salad recipe! The dressing is so incredible you’ll want to savor it by itself! This is not your mama’s pea salad, my friends. This is BETTER!

Are the classic ingredients for a classic pea salad still included in this recipe? You know the ones: Mayonnaise, sour cream, cheddar cheese, ham, red onions, and bacon? Yes, absolutely! The basic ingredients are the perfect base to add more exciting flavors!

You can tell that there’s a nice Italian twist to this recipe. Some people are surprised to learn that Italians use mayonnaise in recipes (in fact, many Italians make their own mayonnaise).

So what is Pea Salad anyway?

Pea salad is a popular old-fashioned classic side dish known for its incredibly delicious flavor, but also because it’s super quick and simple to put together. I like to prepare all of the ingredients the day before so that all I have to do is mix everything together when it’s time to enjoy it. Ready in 10 minutes flat!

Pea Salad is one of the best “chilled” side dishes to serve year-round at any gathering, especially for more casual get-togethers such as potlucks, luncheons, cookouts, and holiday gatherings. There are endless versions of pea salad recipes, but traditionally it always includes sweet peas, crispy bacon, chunks of ham and cheese, and tangy red onions in a creamy dressing.

To take this recipe over the top, I add cherry tomatoes, green peppers, and slivered almonds and then toss everything in a tangy lemon Parmesan dressing! Even those who don’t like peas will enjoy this refreshing pea salad. It’s always a huge hit whenever I serve it.

What Ingredients Do I Need for This Pea Salad?

Here are the yummy ingredients you’ll need to create the best Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pea Salad ever. You’ll find the exact measurements in the recipe card that I’ve provided for you below.

• Peas: The main star of the show, obviously! Use only frozen (thawed) or fresh petite-sized spring peas. They are noticeably sweeter, smaller in size, and just look nicer. Do not cook, but rather use and serve raw. (It’s super safe to eat raw peas!) Frozen is your best bet for convenience and wonderful sweet taste! I could eat them straight out of the bag. In the summer, while still frozen, they are a nice healthy cold treat! DO NOT use canned peas which have a softer texture, even when first opened. They continue to get even softer in the creamy dressing. And you don’t want that!
• Pancetta or Bacon: Go heavy on this . . . you’ll be so glad that you did! Bacon or Italian pancetta adds the perfect level of saltiness to balance the sweetness of the pea salad. What’s better than bacon? Italian pancetta, my friends. The flavor is over the top. Try to use thick-sliced bacon because it retains its flavor and meaty, crunchy texture better while in the wet dressing. Pancetta is not the easiest ingredient to find (I buy mine online –> Pancetta). Fry it and then cut it into chunks. We don’t prefer crumbles, but rather enjoy a good chunk of bacon/pancetta in every bite! Go with your preference, though. Bacon can be cooked in a microwave oven if you prefer.
• Ham: Chopped up into chunks, ham just goes beautifully with peas! Use either left-over ham or purchase sweetened (aka: Honeybaked) ham for the best flavor. Smoked ham doesn’t taste well in this pea salad.
• Red (Purple) Onion: I love the flavor and beautiful color of red/purple onions. It adds a sweeter onion flavor and a lot of visual appeal with the pop of color! If you find the flavor of red/purple onion too strong and overpowering and want to reduce the sharp flavor of red/purple onion, I have a tip for you: Simply soak the diced onion in cold water for about 5 minutes and drain to cut down the tanginess. Tap dry before adding to the salad. You can also run cold water over the onion.
• Cheddar Cheese: Use medium to sharp cheddar for better flavor. Experiment with other cheeses, too, such as Parmesan. Buy the cheese in a block form and then cut it into small chunks of equal size, around ¼ inch cubes. This way, the cheese is evenly blended throughout the salad. Gouda is another favorite. Although it is more expensive, it adds more sophistication to the salad. Smoked Gouda really packs more flavor than Cheddar and Gouda. As always, use whatever cheese you prefer.
• Italian Parsley and Fresh Herbs: It tastes so much better than regular curly parsley. That explains why it sells out so fast in the store! Parsley is also very healthy for us and adds a shot of color. Also add minced chives.
• Cherry Tomatoes – For added color and sweet flavor. Use ripe cherry tomatoes for an extra layer of texture.
• Green Pepper: Adds another layer of sweet crunchiness. Red pepper is the sweetest bell pepper and is exceptional in this salad.
• Slivered Almonds: Add the most incredible crunchy texture amidst the creaminess of the recipe. A nice yin and yang effect on the tastebuds!
• Sour Cream and Mayonnaise: The perfect tangy combination of creaminess for the base of the tasty salad dressing. On sandwiches, we only use Miracle Whip, but for this pea salad, I recommend Dukes or Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise (from New Orleans).
• Dijon Mustard: Thank the French for this amazing condiment! Just a tad adds new life to this and any recipe! Mmmm!
• Balsamic Vinegar: This sweet, yet tangy Italian vinegar makes this pea salad unique by substituting it for the regular cider vinegar. Just a little bit goes a long way. Balsamico is divine in how it makes any recipe come alive! If you find Balsamico too tart, then substitute red wine vinegar, which has a more fruity flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: The king of Italian cheeses. What it does to the dressing is indescribable! My husband raved about this dressing and that is really saying something! Parmesan, lemon, and garlic are the “holy trinity” ingredients in the dressing that take your tastebuds to the moon and back! Always use freshly grated Parmesan, and avoid using the pre-grated, powder-like stuff that comes in a can/jar. It has very little flavor and doesn’t blend well in recipes.
• Lemon Juice and Zest: This is the focus of this special Italian pea salad. The tanginess of lemon adds a touch of perfection to the dressing. A must! Remember to wash the outside of the lemons before zesting.
• Sugar – Use just a tad to help balance out the tangy lemon in the dressing.
• Garlic – A must to jazz up the dressing. Garlic marries with lemon and parmesan perfectly, too! If you don’t have any fresh garlic on hand, it’s OK to use garlic powder — about a half teaspoon per garlic clove.
• Onion Salt and other spices: Mixes in nice additional flavor in the dressing. You can also add garlic powder, but it’s not necessary because this recipe uses fresh garlic, which is much better than anything from a jar.
• Fresh Italian Parsley – Always use Italian versus the other curly type of parsley. Again, please use fresh rather than what comes in a jar for a delightful infusion of fresh flavor! I always have this on hand.
• Optional – Ranch Dressing Dry Mix – This adds some extra flavor, but go EASY with this stuff. There’s already a tremendous amount of flavor going on with the Parmesan, Lemon, and Garlic in the dressing, so you don’t want a battle going on. Start with taking a small bowl of dressing and add a tiny bit of Ranch dressing dry mix, stir, and see what you think. Too much flavor or conflict of flavor for you? Don’t use it. However, if you like it, add some to the dressing a little bit at a time until you’re satisfied.

Once everything is measured out, you want to start with the dressing!

Blend all ingredients for the dressing together FIRST! Cover and chill in the frig while preparing the pea salad, giving time for all of the ingredients to marry.

Creamy Cucumber Salad

Creamy Egg Salad

Creamy Chicken Salad

Creamy Broccoli Salad

Creamy, Classic Tuna Salad