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This Italian pasta with peas is a simple, creamy, and delicious one-pot dinner recipe that uses minimal ingredients.
It makes a perfect weeknight meal, it’s ready in 15 minutes and 1 serving costs less than $0.80. What’s not to love?
It requires only 5 ingredients and you can use either fresh or convenient frozen peas, whatever makes your life easier. It’s a no brainer!
Once you sauté the onion in olive oil, you just add the peas, the vegetable broth or water, and bring to a boil. Then add pasta and cook gently in the starchy water. Then add freshly grated cheese, give a good stir and you’ll see how the starch and the melted cheese will cover every bit of pasta nicely!
So if you want a delicious pasta dish ready in no time, this quick Italian recipe is for you!
What ingredients you need
- Frozen or fresh peas
- Short cut pasta
- Cheese (Parmesan or Grana Padano)
- Onion
- Olive oil
- Salt & pepper
How to make it
- Flavor base: saute’ diced onion in olive oil for about 5 minutes
- Stir in peas
- Add vegetable broth (or water) and bring to a boil
- Cook it the Italian way: stir in pasta, salt, and cook gently
- Pasta will gradually absorb the water and release starch
- Stir often, adding a little water when needed
- When ready, add grated parmesan cheese and give a good stir
- Look below how the starch and the cheese make your pasta nice and glossy!
- Serve with freshly ground black pepper, a drizzle of olive oil and extra parmesan cheese if you like.
(see the recipe card below)
RECIPE NOTES & FAQ
This humble and comforting pasta with peas is so popular in Italy, and it’s one of my favorite childhood dishes.
Plus, it’s quick, cheap, and tastes delicious.
ARE PEAS GOOD FOR YOU?
Yes, peas are low-fat legume naturally high in protein and fiber which makes you feel full for longer. Also, peas are a good source of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
ARE FROZEN PEAS HEALTHY?
Nutritionally, frozen peas are just as good as fresh. Since the freezing process helps to preserve their nutritional value, frozen peas are on calories but packed with vitamins, protein, and antioxidants as their fresh counterpart
I usually go for frozen peas, they’re so handy all year round and save me time!
COOK IT SLOWLY
You’ll want to cook this pasta and peas on low heat. It’s slow cooking, the liquid is minimized and is added gradually to the pasta, which absorbs it completely and releases its starch. And the more starch, the better!
You need to stir often until the water is absorbed, otherwise, it will stick to the bottom. But you’ll be rewarded with a delicious pot of creamy and glossy pasta.
PASTA WITH PEAS VARIATIONS
The addition of diced ham, bacon or pancetta is very popular for this simple pasta with peas.
If you fancy a not vegetarian option, pick one of these types of meats and add it to the pot at the same time you add the diced onion. Approximatively 1/3 cup of diced meat is enough for the amount of pasta stated in the recipe.
This is a simple step and it will bring a ton of extra flavor to the dish.
HOW LONG DOES IT KEEP?
If you have any leftovers, you can store them in the fridge in a tight lid container for 2 days.
To reheat, add up a few Tbsps of water, stir well, and warm over medium-low heat.
MORE QUICK PASTA RECIPES?
- Pasta e ceci (pasta with chickpeas)
- Potato pasta
- 10-minute cream cheese pasta
- 15-minute garlic mushroom pasta
- Broccoli pasta with breadcrumbs
And if you make this easy pasta with peas or you have a question, let me know!
Leave a comment, rate it or tag a photo #theclevermeal on Instagram. I would love to hear from you!
Pasta with peas
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 grams) Peas, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 lb (220 grams Short shaped pasta (shells, elbows, ditaloni...)
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated parmesan cheese, plus more to serve
- 2 cups (500 ml) vegetable broth or water, plus more if needed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until the onion has softened and is turning translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the peas and cook stirring frequently about 1 minute.
- Then add vegetable broth (or water), raise the heat, bring to a boil and stir in pasta and salt (I use 1 tsp of salt and then I adjust the seasoning at the end).
- Reduce the heat, cover with a lid, and cook your pasta in the starchy water. During the cooking time, you need to stir often until the water is absorbed, otherwise, it will stick to the bottom. The water should barely cover the pasta, but it's fine, add extra water gradually only if needed.
- Cook until ready but firm to the bite. Turn off the heat and stir in freshly grated parmesan cheese until melted. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
- Serve immediately with a drizzle of olive oil, black pepper, and extra parmesan cheese if you like. Enjoy!
Notes
In this method, the liquid is minimized and is added gradually to the pasta, which absorbs it completely and releases its starch. Parmesan cheese: use freshly grated parmesan cheese that melts well and tastes much better than store-bought grated cheese. NOTE: the nutrition values are estimates only and are intended for information and guidance purposes only.
Fish
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I made it tonight and although I agree it’s definitely comfort food and it was tasty I was just left feeling a bit meh about it. The only change I made was to add garlic and a little dried basil. I think it may be the peas. Cooking peas for over 10 mins left them mushy in the middle. Do you think just adding the peas at the end is an alternative way to cook this or are the peas put in early to absorb the flavour? I also think I should have cooked the pasta for longer as I don’t really like al dente pasta. I’m going to try it again tomorrow as this is a nice simple dish. I really think for meat eaters this would be lovely with chicken too. Thank you again for sharing. Love authentic Italian food 😋. Wish I had a Nonna to teach me how to cook like an Italian. 😊
Katia
Thank you for your feedback! You’re right, when peas are overcooked they loose their bright color and crisp texture. However, in this recipe we cook everything together to make the recipe easier and to reduce the cooking time (because if we add frozen peas at the end the water temperature drops and we need to bring it back to the boil). If you think the pasta is still al dente for your liking, add just a touch of boiling water and cook for an extra couple of minutes, and make sure to add the grated parmesan cheese at the end (don’t skip it, this adds so much flavor). Cheers. xx
Edie C.
This was so easy and so delicious that I will make sure I bookmark it as one of my favorites. I made the recipe exactly as you wrote – real comfort food on a chilly night. Thank you for sharing.
Katia
I’m so pleased to hear that, Edie, thanks so much for your feedback.
Have a great week. : )
Grace
Grace. Can butter be used in place of olive oil. ???
Katia
Butter will work. Cheers.
April
Maybe im not reading this right,but please help. Is the pasta cooked when you add to the peas?
Katia
Hello April! Pasta is not cooked. Essentially, you cook pasta and peas together in the same pot at the same time. Have a look at the video recipe, it helps.
Let me know if you have other questions. Cheers x
Tamara Valdiserri
Awesome dish! My Italian Grandmother used to make this for us growing up. I doubled the recipe and added 2/3 cup of bacon. I highly recommend the bacon. This is definitely a keeper. Thank you for bringing back fond memories!
Katia
Thanks so much for sharing such a lovely comment, Tamara : )
I’m very HAPPY to hear that! Cheers x
Noelle Mariella
Made this for the first time today!! This was beyond amazing!!! Would and will definitely make this again!!! So yummy!! Think it will definitely become one of my regular go to meals!!
Katia
I’m so pleased to hear that, Noelle!
Thanks so much for sharing your lovely feedback : )
Have a great weekend x
Maggie
This was fabulous and so easy. I used chicken stock instead of veggie and it was delicious. Thanks Katia!
Katia
You’re very welcome, Maggie : )
Thanks for sharing your feedback, and have a great weekend. x
Danielle
I don’t like peas but I might give it a shot to make this recipe
Katia
Brilliant! Let me know how it turns out : )
Nanny
Made this tonight. Not only was it easy , it was delicious. My family loved it.
Katia
Hi Nanny, thanks for sharing your lovely feedback, I’m so happy the whole family loved!
Katia x
Valerie
Easy yummy amazing! I added some extra veggies and finished it with a little bit of oat milk for some creaminess! Fantastic thank you for a really easy and yummy recipe!
Katia
I’m so happy to hear that, Valerie! Thanks for sharing your lovely feedback.
Have a great day x
RQ
Where did you get your pot?! It’s so pretty!
Katia
Hi! The brand is called VonHaus : )