PASTA WITH PEAS, QUICK AND EASY!

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Pasta with peas in a white bowl.

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!

A wooden spoon stirs pasta with peas in a white cast iron pot.

What ingredients you need

  • Frozen or fresh peas
  • Short cut pasta
  • Cheese (Parmesan or Grana Padano)
  • Onion
  • Olive oil
  • Salt & pepper

The ingredients to make this pasta with peas are arranged on a white marble table.

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

The first image shows diced onion in a white pot. The second one shows the addition of peas.

  • 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

A white cast iron pot with pasta with peas during and after cooking.

  • 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)

A white bowl with pasta with peas on a wooden table.

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!

A wooden spoon stirs creamy pasta with peas in a white pot.

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?

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 in a white bowl.
Print Recipe
4.90 from 19 votes

Pasta with peas

This creamy quick pasta with peas is a simple and super easy delicious one-pot dinner recipe that uses minimal ingredients. It's the perfect midweek meal, it's ready in 15 minutes and tastes so delicious!
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Pasta with peas
Servings: 4
Calories: 376kcal
Author: Katia

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

Liquid: 2 cups of water is an estimate. You might need to add or to reduce the amount of water according to the type of pasta. However, pasta should be partially covered in water. 
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.

Nutrition

Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 782mg | Potassium: 425mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 969IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 181mg | Iron: 2mg

77 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made this with some fresh garlic and diced ham…..so good! We’ll make it again!!

    1. That’s great, Stacie! Thanks a lot for rating the recipe. : )

  2. This looks delicious and I can’t wait to try it. can leftovers be frozen?

    1. Hi Liza, I don’t recommend freezing pasta leftovers, sorry : )

  3. Jennifer Abramski says:

    5 stars
    this was delicious!!! I used bacon,and bacon grease ti cook the onion and pas and used chicken stock….and red pepper flakes…was so silky and creamy…

    1. That sounds super delicious! Thanks so much for sharing, Jennifer. x

  4. 5 stars
    Haven’t had macaroni and peas in forever. This recipe was perfect and so easy! Eating it now and it is delicious!!

    1. That’s great to hear, Kristen! I’m so pleased it turned out delicious and thanks for sharing. x

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