Easy to make pasta and peas recipe (aka Pasta e Piselli) that my family loves! This one pot meal is ready in 30 minutes, perfect for busy school nights! My kids never complain about the peas and finish their bowls!
Easy Pasta and Peas Recipe
The whole family is going to love this simple pasta and peas recipe! It comes together in less than 30 minutes which is perfect for those busy weeknights where everyone is hungry and tired (you know those nights, right?).
Onions and garlic are sautéed with pancetta (a Italian salty bacon). Chicken broth gets added into the pot along with pasta. I chose ditalini pasta because it’s a small pasta shape and soaks up all the flavor (and kid friendly!)! Finally, add in frozen sweet peas, parsley and grated Parmesan cheese and dinner is ready!
Looking for more dinner recipes with peas? Try my Mac and Cheese with Peas, New Potatoes and Peas and Cream of Pea Soup too!
Ingredient Help
- Can I use something else instead of pancetta? You can use prosciutto or chopped bacon instead – both of them have a good salty taste which fits the recipe good. Of if you want to skip the meat completely you can!
- Can I use a different shape of pasta? Absolutely. Try elbow noodles, small shells or alphabet pasta (kids love them!).
- Can I use fresh peas instead? You can use either frozen or fresh sugar snap peas (especially if it’s garden season!). For fresh, remove them from the pod, or if you’re using sugar snap peas, remove the strings and chop up the peas into bite size pieces.
How to Make Pasta and Peas
In a large pot sauté the diced onion, fresh garlic, pancetta, salt and pepper over medium heat in olive oil until the onions are soft.
Tip: To makes things easy I buy a package of pancetta that is already finely cubed at the grocery store.
Add in chicken broth and water. Once boiling, add in pasta and cook until al dente.
Add frozen peas, parsley and grated cheese into pot and give it a good stir to fully mix.
Serve in bowls and enjoy!
Pin for later:
Pasta and Peas (30 minute family meal)
PrintIngredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 ounces pancetta finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 16 ounce box ditalini pasta
- 10 ounce bag frozen sweet peas (about 2 cups)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add onion, garlic, pancetta, salt and pepper into the pot and cook until garlic is lightly browned and onions are softened, about 8 minutes.
- Add broth and water, bring to a boil. Add in pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes.
- Add in peas, parsley and grated cheese, stirring to fully combine and until peas are no longer frozen. This will only take a couple minutes.
- Serve in bowls (I like a little extra grated cheese on top!) and enjoy!
Leave a Comment