Pasta with Peas (Pasta e Piselli)

Pasta with Peas, also known as Pasta e Piselli in Italian, is one of my all time favorite pasta recipes! It's creamy, delicious, and crazy easy to make within 20 minutes with only 4 ingredients. It makes the perfect one-pot weeknight dinner!

Pasta with Peas, is literally just like the name, Pasta and Peas! But don't let the name fool you. Whilst it's a simple pea pasta, it's so much more than that 🙂 It's bursting with flavor from the sweet peas which are used to make a vibrant creamy sauce that coats each pasta perfectly. You can also use frozen peas which is great because you can really make it at any time of the year. Personally, I love it on a lazy chilly night as it instantly warms you up.  

This delicious pea pasta will surely make it your weekly dinner rotation. With only needing 4 simple ingredients and whipped up in 20 minutes in the one pot, which means easy clean up. What's not to love! It's typically made with small pasta shapes which also make it appetizing for kids too which is a bonus. It's a green machine that makes everyone want seconds!

Pasta with peas is also a very traditional Italian recipe called Pasta e piselli, originating from central and southern Italy. It’s not a dish you would find served in restaurants, yet every household makes it for their family with their own family recipe. Like a lot of humble Italian recipes, its known as cucina povera which literally translates to "poor kitchen", being a poor man style of cooking. This is because its made with simple seasonal ingredients that is also super cheap to make, yet still full of flavor. Some more recipes of this style are my Tuscan soup, Italian pastina and pasta e fagioli.

This recipe holds a special place in my heart. The first time I tried it, was actually in Sicily and cooked by my husbands family when we visited.  Now I'm not going to lie, it was extra special as they grew their own fresh peas, which of course made it taste 100 times better! It's a simple pasta dish that always brings back warm memories of our family in Sicily and now I love whipping it up for my own family.

Table of Contents

• Why you'll love this recipe
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• How to make Pasta with Peas
• Tips and Tricks
• Storage Instructions
• FAQs
• More Quick Pastas
• Recipe
• Comments

Why you'll love this recipe

• Quick and easy: Whipped up in 20 minutes, using one pot and easy steps to follow
• Budget Friendly: Made with simple ingredients such as frozen peas and pantry staples
• Nutritious: Filled with green peas that are high in plant based protein and nutrients
• Crazy Delicious: With a creamy sweet sauce and little pasta shapes that's a crowd favorite between adult and even picky eating kids
• Customizable: Enjoy as is or you can add additions such as other vegetables. It's also common to add pancetta or bacon if you aren't vegetarian

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Green Peas of course are the star of the show! You can use fresh peas if they are in season, but frozen peas are always convenient and work great too
• Pasta - typically pasta e piselli is made with short pasta which pairs perfectly with the small green peas. I've used small gnocchetti today but elbow pasta, ditalini pasta, penne, fregola or even orecchiette are some other favorites. Gluten-free pasta can be used if needed
• White onion adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor that match perfectly with the sweet green peas. You can use yellow onion instead or even shallots. Garlic is not traditionally used
• Parmigiano Reggiano, aka parmesan cheese, adds a creamy richness and creamy consistency without needing any heavy cream. Pecorino Romano cheese and Grana Padano are great substitutes. To make it a vegan recipe, simply switch it for a vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free alternative
• Extra virgin olive oil is preferred for its flavor, but any cooking oil will do
• Garnish with extra cheese or herbs such as fresh parsley or basil

How to make Pasta with Peas

Make this creamy and delicious Pasta with Peas within 20 minutes. Follow the simple steps below.

1. Saute diced onion over medium heat until translucent. Add a splash of water so the onions don't burn. Add green peas, season with salt and black pepper and cook for 5 minutes
2. Pour half of the mixture into a blender and the remaining half into a bowl. Leave aside for now
3. Cook pasta in boiling salted water
4. Add a ladle of the pasta cooking water to the blender with the peas, and blend to a puree consistency
5. When pasta is 3 minutes under the cooking time from package instructions, drain and reserve some pasta water. Pour pasta back into the pot, add the pea puree, the bowl of peas, grated parmesan cheese and a ladle of pasta water. Stir through until well combined
6. Simmer while gently stirring for 1-2 minutes, adding pasta water when needed. Serve and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

1. Frozen peas are great to use, especially if fresh peas aren't in season. Always opt for good quality frozen peas which will make it taste even better
2. Don't over cook the pasta as it will become too mushy, you want to enjoy it al dente with a little bite
3. Drain pasta when its a few minutes under the package instructions so that it cooks with the sauce for the final few minutes
4. Always reserve some pasta cooking water, its key to making the creamy and silky sauce
5. Buy a block of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, aka "parmesan", and grate it yourself. Ensure its finely grated so it melts faster and doesn't become clumpy

Storage Instructions

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
• Reheat in a small pan over stovetop with a splash of water or vegetable broth to prevent it drying out. You can also microwave leftovers if you are short on time
• I wouldn't recommend freezing this recipe, but you can freeze the pea puree for up to 2 months

FAQs

More Quick Pastas

• Broccoli Pasta
• Miso Pasta
• Cherry Tomato Pasta
• Pastina - Italian Comfort Food
• Baked Feta Pasta
• Lemon Garlic Pasta (Pasta Al Limone)
• Mushroom Carbonara
• Burrata Pasta
• Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca
• Creamy Orzo Pasta

I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your Pasta with Peas photo on Instagram so I can share the love!

Recipe