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5.0 from 15 votes

Pasta e Piselli (Pasta and Peas)

Pasta e Piselli (Pasta and Peas) is a beloved one-pot meal from Naples that takes less than 30 minutes to make from start to finish. It features small bites of pasta and sweet peas bound together in a naturally creamy and slightly cheesy sauce.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 571 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 1 (10-ounce) bag frozen sweet peas thawed (or 10 ounces weighed from a larger bag)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt or as needed
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 5 cups water or chicken broth heated to simmering, plus more as needed (have about 1 cup of simmering water on standby)
  • 1 pound (16 ounces / 455 grams) small pasta such as ditalini or small shells
  • ½ cup (65 grams) grated pecorino Romano cheese plus more if desired

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the peas, salt and pepper, stir and cook for a couple more minutes. Then pour in the simmering water or broth and stir in the pasta. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to about medium-low and continue to cook, uncovered, stirring regularly to prevent sticking.
  3. Add more simmering water as needed if the pasta is absorbing it quickly but still not cooked through, or if you'd like a more saucy/soupy finish. Cook until the pasta is al dente, about 10 to 15 minutes.
  4. Do not drain liquid. Stir in the grated cheese, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately topped with more cheese, if desired.

Notes

  • Store leftovers for about 3 to 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheat either in the microwave (preferred) or gently on the stovetop, adding a splash or two of water if needed.
  • Keep in mind that as your pasta piselli sits after it's done cooking, it will continue to absorb liquid. What starts out a bit saucy or brothy will eventually result in a drier (but still tasty) dish.
  • By adding simmering water or broth to the mixture, rather than cold liquid (which would require waiting longer for it to come to a boil), you will avoid overcooking the peas.
  • Also, cooking the pasta in the same liquid that the dish is finished in yields a naturally creamy result because of the starches released from the pasta while cooking.
  • Make sure to have some extra boiling or simmering water ready on the side in case you need to add it. If you have a stovetop tea kettle or electric kettle, this is a good opportunity to use it.
  • Optional: If desired, you can add chopped bacon or pancetta with the onions and cook them together.

Nutrition Information

Calories 571kcal (29%) Carbohydrates 97g (32%) Protein 20g (40%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Cholesterol 8mg (3%) Sodium 788mg (33%) Potassium 365mg (10%) Fiber 8g (32%) Sugar 7g (14%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 571

% Daily Value*

Calories 571kcal 29%
Carbohydrates 97g 32%
Protein 20g 40%
Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 8mg 3%
Sodium 788mg 33%
Potassium 365mg 8%
Fiber 8g 32%
Sugar 7g 14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.