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Pasta with Peas (Pasta e Piselli)

Pasta with peas (pasta e piselli) is a delicious traditional Italian pasta recipe ready in 20 min - Add pancetta or ham for more flavor!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 384 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small onion
  • 280 g fresh or frozen peas
  • 300 g short pasta (ditalini, tubetti, mafaldine, shells, etc.)
  • 480 ml stock or water hot
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves finely chopped
  • Parmesan Cheese optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat,. Add the onion, let it cook for 2 minutes , then add the peas and cook for 2 minutes.
  2. Add the pasta into the pot, immediately followed by 2 cups of hot stock or boiling water, and stir well. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt or to taste.
  3. Cook the pasta until al dente, stirring every now and then, adding an extra ladle of hot stock/water whenever necessary, until the pasta is al dente, and the starchy pasta cooking water turns into a creamy sauce.
  4. Remove the pot from the heat. Add grated Parmesan cheese (if using), chopped fresh mint and season with freshly-ground pepper, stir and serve immediately.

Notes

  • You can add cold water or stock to the pot with the peas and bring to a boil, but this will probably overcook the peas and turn them into a greenish yellowish color.
  • Instead, by adding boiling water/hot stock, you'll cut the cooking time by at least 5 minutes, and the peas will keep their bright color.
  • The peas-broth ratio should be well balanced. After the initial two cups, add a ladle of stock at a time.
  • If there’s not enough broth, the pasta will absorb it, resulting in a dry sauce, if there's too much broth, it will turn into a soup.
  • Always keep a cup of hot stock aside in case you need to loosen up your pasta with peas.
  • Neapolitan-style pasta and peas is creamy because it's all made in one pot and the pasta releases its starches whilst it cooks. If for some reason your pasta is dry, try adding 1 tablespoon of fresh double cream right before serving it.

Nutrition Information

Calories 384kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 70g (23%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Sodium 490mg (20%) Potassium 385mg (11%) Fiber 7g (28%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 845IU (17%) Vitamin C 30mg (33%) Calcium 43mg (4%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 384

% Daily Value*

Calories 384kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 70g 23%
Protein 14g 28%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Sodium 490mg 20%
Potassium 385mg 8%
Fiber 7g 28%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 845IU 17%
Vitamin C 30mg 33%
Calcium 43mg 4%
Iron 2mg 11%

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