Italian Pasta and Peas Recipe (Pasta e Piselli)

This Italian Pasta and Peas Recipe (pasta e piselli) is quick and easy recipe to make! It’s a delicious recipe made with sweet peas, which add a fresh spring flavor. It’s a healthy, filling dinner that the whole family will love.

Don’t you just love one-pot recipes, especially when they are economical? It’s a win all the way around. This pasta e piselli recipe uses simple ingredients and costs about $3.50 per serving to make with whole wheat pasta.

In addition to being economical, you will love the simplicity of this dish! It comes together quickly with just a few ingredients and is packed with flavor. The pasta water is not drained, and the combination of the starch from the pasta water with cheese results in a creamy pasta sauce that brings out the sweetness of the peas, embodying pure Italian comfort food.

Busy weeknights are made for quick and economical pasta dishes, this ground chicken and pasta casserole is another one of our easy meals.

Here is what you will need

This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this easy recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.

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Here is how to make Italian pasta and peas

Prepare the ingredients: Dice the onions and garlic, and measure the pasta, peas, water, and oil. Shred the cheese. Heat olive oil in a heavy pan or skillet over medium-high heat. This is a recipe for two, and can be easily doubled using the recipe scale in the recipe card.

STEP 1: Once the pan is hot, add the diced onion and garlic. IReduce to medium heat and saute the onions with the garlic for a few minutes until they turn soft.

STEP 2: Reduce to medium-low heat, and stir in the peas.

STEP 3: Pour the water into the pan, and stir, cook for a few minutes until the water starts to boil.

STEP 4: Add the pasta and cook stirring occasionally until the pasta is cooked. You may need to add a little bit of water as the pasta cooks.

STEP 5: Add the parmesan cheese and stir it in with the cooked pasta and peas. Garnish with sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste and serve.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

The list of ingredients to make this full recipe is above. Below are notes about some of the ingredients along with ideas for substitutes.

Pasta – Italian pasta and peas is traditionally made with ditalini pasta. But you can substitute any small pasta such as elbows, little shells or orecchiette pasta which in my opinion, is the best pasta for this recipe because it holds onto the sauce and the peas well. I don’t recommend large and heavy pasta shapes such as rigatoni or ziti.

Fresh Garlic – Most recipes for pasta and peas don’t use garlic, but I tried making it both ways, and garlic wins! You can leave the garlic out and use only onions for a more traditional pasta and peas.

Water – Pasta and peas is typically cooked in vegetable broth or chicken broth, I use water to keep it economical and to lower the sodium. I find that the peas, onions, and garlic add enough flavor to the pasta. Adding a little bit of salt to taste at the end of cooking works just as well as using broth.

If you prefer to use broth, you can substitute the water with an equal amount of chicken broth or vegetable broth.

Recipe variations

This delicious dish is flavorful and filling on its own, and you can also change it up for a different flavor. Here are some suggestions:

Peas and pasta with mushrooms-Just before serving add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of sliced sauteed mushrooms to the pasta and peas.

Pasta and peas with tomatoes – About halfway through cooking, stir in 1/2 cup diced canned or fresh tomatoes.

Add fresh herbs. Add a tablespoon or two of a fresh herb such as fresh mint, fresh basil, or fresh oregano.

Peas and pasta with meat – Just before serving add 2 slices of crispy pancetta, bacon crumbles, or a few slices of chopped prosciutto or ham.

Change up the veggies – Instead of peas, use diced broccoli or chopped asparagus.

Gluten-free pasta and peas – Use your favorite gluten-free pasta instead of whole wheat pasta.

Vegan pasta and peas – Instead of parmesan cheese, use an equal amount of nutritional yeast.

Serving suggestions

Serve Italian pasta and peas as a main course with a salad like this kale caesar salad, arugula salad with figs, or spinach salad for a complete nutritious dinner.

Italian pasta and peas can also be served as a smaller portion or side dish with grilled chicken, or pork chops.

How to store and reheat leftover pasta and peas

Peas and pasta taste the best right after being cooked. If you do have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two days.

Reheat the pasta and peas on top of the stove over low heat until heated through. You may need to add some water to keep the pasta from sticking to the pot.

Recipe FAQs

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