Pasta with Peas (Easy, One Pot Cooking)

Pasta and peas with large serving spoon.

5 from 5 votes

Pasta with Peas (Easy, One Pot Cooking)

This savory pasta with peas is very popular staple in the Italian kitchen! With only a few ingredients, you can have this one pot version ready in less than 45 minutes!

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Servings:

Calories: 384kcal

Author: Marie

Ingredients

6 ounces uncooked short pasta ditalini or elbows recommended
16 ounces peas I use frozen
1 large onion diced (I like to use sweet onion)
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt the grated cheese can make this salty to less is better to start
black pepper to taste
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
1/2 cup grated cheese (or more) parmesan or locatelli, for topping

For serving

4 cups chicken or vegetable broth warmed; optional if you want more broth

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Add olive oil to a large saute pan along with red pepper (if using), and saute for about 1 minute over medium heat until fragrant.
Add diced onion and sliced garlic and continue cooking for about 3 or 4 more minutes OR until onion becomes translucent and darkens slightly.
Add frozen peas to the pan and saute until they have defrosted. Then add enough water to cover the peas, cover the pan with the lid ajar, and cook for about 20 minutes or until the level of desired tenderness is reached. I like my peas nice and creamy so cook until you reach this texture if desired.
Continue adding water to keep the mixture from drying out, help tenderize peas, and impart the onion flavor.
After the peas have been cooked, add the dried pasta to the pan and the salt, and then pour enough extra water to fully submerge the pasta and peas with about 1-inch of extra water on top.
Give everything a good stir, cover, boil, and cook pasta according to package instructions. You may uncover or place the lid ajar after the mixture boils. Adjust the heat if necessary.
Add black pepper to taste and about half the cheese. Stir well. Adjust for salt.
After cooking, ladle pasta with peas into bowls and add some warm chicken broth if desired.
Garnish with plenty more grated cheese and plenty of black pepper.
Serve immediately (if serving later, pour off and reserve broth so that the pasta will not continue absorbing the broth).

Notes

Instant Pot Instructions:

Using the saute feature, cook the onions with red pepper flakes and olive oil.
Add pasta and peas, and add just enough water to cover the ingredients.
Cook on manual pressure for 4 minutes.
Use quick release
Serve with chicken or vegetable broth if desired.
Top with grated cheese and black pepper.

May also make pasta with peas using leftover peas, ideally that have been cooked with onion. Simply boil pasta and mix with peas, adding optional broth, cheese, black pepper, etc.

Storage and Serving

Please note that the pasta will continue to absorb broth or extra pasta water so this is best served immediately after making. If making ahead, loosely drain any extra pasta water and/or do not add broth until ready to eat.

Store the broth separately from the pasta and peas in the fridge, and recombine when ready. Good for 2-3 days.

These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing as the pasta will become mushy.

Nutrition