Description
Discover the comfort of pasta and peas! A quick, budget-friendly recipe packed with flavor and easy-to-make steps for any night of the week.
Ingredients
1. Pasta
Small pasta shapes like ditalini, shells, or elbow macaroni are ideal for this dish. They hold the sauce beautifully and mix well with the peas. If you don’t have these on hand, don’t stress—penne or even spaghetti broken into smaller pieces can work in a pinch.
2. Peas
Frozen peas are a lifesaver here. They’re sweet, tender, and cook up in minutes. Canned peas can work too, but they’re softer and might not have the same vibrant flavor.
3. Garlic
Garlic is non-negotiable. It adds a warm, savory base that ties the whole dish together. Freshly minced garlic works best, but pre-minced garlic in a jar can save you time if you’re in a rush.
4. Olive Oil
Good olive oil makes a big difference. It brings a rich, fruity flavor to the dish. If you don’t have olive oil, butter can work too for a slightly different flavor profile.
5. Parmesan Cheese
Freshly grated Parmesan adds a salty, nutty finish. If you’re vegan or dairy-free, nutritional yeast is a great alternative that still packs a punch of flavor.
Instructions
Heat a generous drizzle of olive oil in a large pan. Add diced onion and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant. This creates the base of flavor for the dish.
Toss in your peas—frozen or fresh—and stir them into the onions. Cook for a minute or two until they start to warm through.
Pour in the vegetable broth, then add the pasta directly to the pan. Bring everything to a gentle boil, giving it an occasional stir to prevent sticking.
Lower the heat to a simmer and let the pasta cook gently in the broth. Stir often so the pasta releases its starch, creating a natural, creamy sauce. If the mixture gets too thick, add a splash of water to keep it smooth.
Once the pasta is tender and coated in its glossy sauce, stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well until the cheese melts into the sauce, making everything creamy and flavorful.
Spoon the pasta into bowls and top with extra Parmesan cheese. Pair it with crusty Italian bread, black pepper focaccia, or garlic brea
Notes
Use frozen peas for convenience, but fresh peas work beautifully in the spring.
The dish is versatile and can be made vegetarian by using vegetable broth or vegan with nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
Adjust seasonings to taste and feel free to add your favorite mix-ins like bacon, cream, or fresh herbs
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (~1.5 cups)
- Calories: ~350 kcal
- Sugar: ~4g
- Sodium: ~400mg
- Fat: ~10g
- Saturated Fat: ~2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~7.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~55g
- Fiber: ~4g
- Protein: ~12g
- Cholesterol: ~10mg
Keywords: pasta and peas, easy pasta recipes, weeknight dinner ideas, Italian comfort food, one-pot pasta, vegetarian pasta recipes