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A bowl of pasta and peas with a fork, grater, and cheese on the side.

Pasta & Peas AKA Pasta e Piselli

Chef Jenn
Pasta e Piselli, or Pasta & Peas, is my go-to for a quick, comforting dinner. With simple ingredients like pasta, peas, and cheese, it’s easy to make, satisfyingly creamy, and ready in no time—just the kind of meal I love after a long day.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 298 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup yellow onion finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1½ cups peas frozen
  • 2½ cups small pasta uncooked
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • pinch red pepper flakes crushed
  • fresh parsley chopped

Instructions
 

  • Heat the olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
  • Sauté the onion for about 5 minutes in the oil until soft and golden.
  • Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring often to avoid burning.
  • Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a gentle boil.
  • Add the pasta and cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for about 7-10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed. If it starts to look too dry, add a splash of hot water as needed.
  • Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if using.
  • Stir in the frozen peas and cook for another 2 minutes, just until they’re heated through and tender.
  • Mix in the cheese and stir until everything is creamy and well combined.
  • Serve hot, topped with more grated cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Chef Jenn's Tips

  • Use small pasta shapes like ditalini or tiny shells—they cook fast and soak up the flavor.
  • Don't skimp on the cheese—it helps create the creamy texture and adds that savory kick.
  • Stir often while the pasta cooks to prevent sticking and to help the starch create that silky sauce.
  • Want more richness? Stir in a knob of butter with the cheese.
To make it vegan, skip the cheese or swap in a dairy-free alternative.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 11gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 1047mgPotassium: 284mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 966IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 106mgIron: 1mg

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.

Keyword Italian comfort food, pantry pasta, pasta and peas, pasta e piselli
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