Looking for a quick, budget-friendly dinner that's both satisfying and nutritious? This classic pasta and peas recipe combines the comfort of tender pasta with sweet green peas in a creamy, flavorful sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, this traditional Italian dish transforms simple ingredients into a memorable meal that both kids and adults will love.
Why You'll Love This Pasta and Peas Recipe
This humble yet delicious combination has been a staple in Italian kitchens for generations. Known as "pasta e piselli" in Italian, this dish exemplifies the beauty of simple cooking – where a few quality ingredients come together to create something truly special. It's perfect for busy weeknights, meatless Mondays, or any time you need a comforting bowl of pasta that doesn't break the bank.
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Ingredients
For this pasta and peas recipe, you'll need:
- 1 pound (16 oz) pasta (preferably short shapes like orecchiette, shells, or penne)
- 2 cups fresh or frozen green peas
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- ½ cup heavy cream (or reserved pasta water for a lighter version)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Note: The quality of your Parmesan cheese matters here – try to use freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano for the best flavor.
Instructions
Prepare the Base
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil for the pasta.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Cook the Pasta and Peas
- Add your chosen pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions.
- When the pasta is 3 minutes away from being done, add the peas to the same pot.
- Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Drain the pasta and peas together.
Combine and Finish
- Add the pasta and peas to the skillet with the onion-garlic mixture.
- Pour in the heavy cream (or ½ cup of reserved pasta water for a lighter version).
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir everything together.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pasta.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan if desired.
Hints and Tips
- Reserve more pasta water than you think you'll need – it's your secret weapon for achieving the perfect sauce consistency.
- If using frozen peas, there's no need to thaw them first. The residual heat from the pasta will cook them perfectly.
- For the creamiest result, remove the pan from heat before adding the Parmesan cheese to prevent it from becoming grainy.
Dietary Benefits & Serving Suggestions
This pasta and peas recipe offers a good balance of carbohydrates and protein, with the peas adding fiber and essential vitamins. It's naturally vegetarian and can be made vegan by omitting the cream and using plant-based Parmesan alternatives.
Serve this dish with:
- A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette
- Garlic bread or crusty Italian bread
- A glass of light white wine like Pinot Grigio or Vermentino
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Make it protein-rich by adding cooked pancetta or prosciutto
- Try different pasta shapes – small shells work particularly well as they catch the peas
- Add fresh mint leaves instead of basil for a bright, spring-like flavor
- Include sautéed mushrooms for an earthier version
- Use half and half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce
Equipment For Pasta and Peas Recipe
- Large pot for cooking pasta
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Colander
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Cheese grater
A wide, heavy-bottomed skillet works best for this recipe as it allows the sauce to reduce evenly and coat the pasta properly.
Storage
Store leftover pasta and peas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or cream to restore the sauce's consistency. While this dish can be frozen, the texture of the pasta may change slightly upon thawing.
Top Tip
The key to perfect pasta and peas is timing – adding the peas to the pasta water in the final few minutes ensures they maintain their bright green color and slight crunch while being perfectly tender.
FAQ
Yes, pasta and peas create an excellent combination that's both nutritious and delicious. This classic pairing offers a perfect balance of carbohydrates from the pasta and protein from the peas, while also providing fiber and essential vitamins. The sweetness of peas complements the pasta perfectly, and when combined with a creamy sauce and Parmesan cheese, it creates a satisfying meal that's been enjoyed in Italian cuisine for generations.
There are numerous ways to enhance your pasta dish beyond the basic recipe. Consider adding:
Fresh herbs like basil, mint, or parsley
Protein sources such as pancetta, grilled chicken, or Italian sausage
Extra vegetables like cherry tomatoes, spinach, or mushrooms
Different cheese varieties such as pecorino romano or ricotta
A splash of white wine in the sauce
Red pepper flakes for heat
Toasted pine nuts or walnuts for crunch The key is to maintain balance while adding complementary flavors that enhance the dish's overall profile.
The combination of pasta and peas offers significant nutritional benefits. Peas are particularly healthy, providing:
High fiber content (4.4g per ½ cup)
Good protein source (4g per ½ cup)
Essential vitamins including A, C, and K
Important minerals like iron and manganese
Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds When combined with whole grain pasta, this dish becomes even more nutritious, offering a complete meal with complex carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables all in one dish.
A typical serving of pasta and peas (approximately 1.5 cups) contains about 350-400 calories, broken down as follows:
Pasta (1 cup cooked): 200 calories
Peas (½ cup): 60-70 calories
Olive oil (1 tablespoon): 120 calories
Parmesan cheese (2 tablespoons): 40 calories The exact caloric content may vary depending on portion size and specific ingredients used, particularly the amount of olive oil and cheese. For a lighter version, you can reduce the oil and cheese quantities or use whole grain pasta for added nutritional benefits.
Time to Share Your Cooking Success!
How did your Pasta and Peas Recipe turn out? Ready to savor something new? This recipe is sure to impress with its perfect balance of creamy comfort and fresh, sweet peas. If you're a fan of quick Italian comfort foods, be sure to try our One Pot Chicken Ozro Recipe next – another easy-to-make yet delicious treat!
Did you make this Pasta and Peas Recipe? We'd love to hear about your experience! Leave a star rating and share your thoughts in the comments.
Did you try any creative twists or use any unique ingredients? Your feedback not only helps others but also contributes to our growing community of home cooks. Don't forget to share a photo of your culinary creation!
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Easy Pasta and Peas Recipe
Equipment
- Large pot for cooking pasta
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Colander
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Cheese grater
Ingredients
- □ 1 pound 16 oz pasta (ditalini, shells, or penne)
- □ 2 cups fresh or frozen green peas
- □ 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- □ 1 medium onion finely chopped
- □ 3 cloves garlic minced
- □ ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- □ ½ cup heavy cream or pasta water for lighter version
- □ Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- □ Fresh basil leaves for garnish optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta.
- Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, cook until soft (5 mins).
- Add minced garlic, cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Add peas in last 3 minutes.
- Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Add pasta and peas to skillet with onion mixture.
- Stir in cream (or pasta water) and Parmesan.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with basil and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best results
- Save pasta water – helps create silky sauce
- For al dente pasta, cook 1 minute less than package states
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