Pasta with Peas
There’s something beautifully vibrant about a bowl of Pasta with Peas. Just think about the colors: soft green peas glistening against a backdrop of perfectly cooked pasta, creating a dish that’s as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the palate.🍽️ The smoky allure of crispy bacon mingles with the sweetness of fresh peas and the creaminess of Parmesan cheese, invoking comfort and satisfaction in every bite. This isn’t merely a meal; it’s a cozy embrace on a plate, reminding us of shared stories around the dinner table.
This delightful dish also comes together in about 35 minutes, making it the perfect option for a weeknight dinner when time is tight. It’s wonderfully budget-friendly, with staple ingredients that most pantries already contain, allowing you to whip it up without a second thought. Whether you’re cooking for the family or entertaining friends, this dish is simple yet sophisticated, allowing for easy substitutions like gluten-free pasta or even a vegetarian twist by omitting the bacon. Allow the comforting aromas of Pasta with Peas to fill your kitchen as you prepare for a blissful meal.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Pasta with Peas
- Storing & Reheating
- Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Recipe FAQs
- Pasta with Peas
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: Ready in just 35 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Irresistible Flavor: Rich bacon flavor combined with the sweetness of peas and creamy Parmesan for a delicious palate experience.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: The vivid green of the peas against the pasta is a feast for the eyes.
- Flexible Serving: Great for family dinners, and just as suitable for meal prepping for lunch.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adaptable for gluten-free or vegetarian diets without losing flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced: This ingredient brings a smoky richness to the dish. You could substitute with turkey bacon for a lighter option.
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced: Adds a foundational sweetness and depth of flavor.
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt: Essential for enhancing the natural flavors of the ingredients.
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes: Provides a gentle heat that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the peas.
- 1 lb green peas: Fresh or frozen, peas offer a sweet and earthy flavor that’s essential to this dish.
- 12 oz short pasta: Pastas like penne or fusilli work well, catching the pea puree perfectly.
- 2 oz Parmesan cheese, finely grated: This cheese not only adds creaminess but also a wonderful umami flavor. Grana Padano can be a fantastic substitute.
How to Make Pasta with Peas
Cook the Bacon: In a Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium heat, cook the 4 slices of diced bacon until they’re crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Once done, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, reserving the rendered fat in the pan.
Sauté the Aromatics: Add the diced 1 medium yellow onion, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for around 3-5 minutes until the onion turns translucent and fragrant.
Incorporate the Peas: Add the 1 lb green peas to the pan, cooking for about 5 minutes until tender. The vibrant green color will brighten the dish.
Blend Half of the Peas: Pour half of the cooked peas into a blender (or use an immersion blender) along with a cup of the pasta cooking water. Blend until smooth and creamy, creating the delicious pea puree.
Cook the Pasta: Fill the Dutch oven with 4 cups of hot water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a vigorous boil, then add 12 oz of short pasta and cook according to package directions.
Combine Ingredients: When the pasta is about 3 minutes shy of being al dente, reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water and drain the rest. Return the pasta to the pot, then fold in the pea puree, the reserved whole peas, and 2 oz of finely grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well, adding more reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky, creamy sauce.
Final Simmer: Let the mixture simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously to ensure even cooking. Taste and season as necessary. Serve immediately, topped with the crumbled bacon and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan for that perfect finish.
Storing & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 hours, or refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. To freeze, place in a suitable container and it can last for up to 3 months. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to refresh the dish and restore its creamy consistency.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Check your pasta while cooking to avoid overcooking; it should be al dente.
- An immersion blender is a great tool for puréeing the peas right in the pot, saving time and dishes.
- For added creaminess, you can mix in a bit of heavy cream along with the Parmesan.
- If you don’t have Parmesan, Pecorino Romano is a fantastic substitute with a more robust flavor.
- When reheating, consider a splash of olive oil to help bring the dish back to life.
The beauty of Pasta with Peas lies in its simplicity. In every twirl of the fork, you find the crunch from the bacon, the sweetness from the peas, and the savory notes of cheese dancing together. It’s a dish that invites creativity and experimentation. You might try adding in some garlic or maybe a splash of lemon juice for brightness.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use frozen peas instead of fresh ones?
What if I don’t have any bacon?
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
What pasta varieties work best for this recipe?
More Dinner Recipes
- Rice Pilaf
- Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad With Broccoli
- Lemon Arugula Salad
- Cabbage Pasta
- Lemon Chicken and Orzo
👉 If you make my Pasta with Peas recipe, please leave a comment and a star rating — it really helps others discover the recipe.
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Pasta with Peas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Savor the delightful flavors of Pasta with Peas. This simple dish combines crispy bacon, vibrant green peas, and creamy parmesan, making it an ideal choice for a quick dinner or a comforting meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 lb green peas
- 12 oz short pasta
- 2 oz parmesan cheese, finely grated
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Set aside on a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat in the pot.
- Add the diced onion, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes to the pot. Sauté for a few minutes until the onions become translucent. Stir in the peas and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Pour half of the peas into a blender or use an immersion blender for a smoother texture. Place the remaining peas in a bowl and set aside.
- Fill the pot with 4 cups of hot water and a pinch of salt. Bring it to a boil over high heat and add the pasta, cooking according to package directions.
- Once the pasta is nearly done, reserve one cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Return the pasta to the pot, add the pea puree, the reserved peas, and the grated parmesan. Stir well, adding more pasta water if necessary to achieve a creamy sauce.
- Simmer for 1-2 minutes while stirring to finish the cooking. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve immediately, topped with crumbled bacon and additional parmesan cheese.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, you can omit the bacon.
Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your spice preference.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
