How to Make Pasta and Peas: What Italians ACTUALLY Eat at Home
This is the one dish that Italians actually eat at home. You won’t find this on a restaurant menu; this is the quick weeknight dinner. It is the heart of the Mediterranean diet, using simple ingredients to feed the whole family on a budget, but not intentionally to save money. It’s enjoyable because it’s wholesome, it’s fresh, and it tastes like home.
If you’ve been looking for easy one-pot pasta recipes that are healthy and delicious, this is the video for you. Growing up it was just a simple pasta and peas recipe with a sprinkle of cheese. But today, I’m showing you how to make a creamy pasta e piselli that is much better than the original!
This dish proves you don't need expensive ingredients to make authentic Italian food. This vegetarian pasta dish is ready in under 20 minutes, making it one of the best healthy meals for busy families.
Ingredients: 1 lb Ditalini pasta 1 lb Frozen peas 1 Yellow onion, finely chopped 1.5 cups Pecorino Romano, grated 4 cups Water (plus more if needed) Olive oil Salt & Pepper
Directions: 1. In a large pot, sauté the chopped onion in olive oil until soft. 2. Add the frozen peas, salt, pepper, and water. Simmer for 5 minutes. 3. Remove half of the peas and blend until smooth. Pour it back in! This is the secret to how to cook peas so they become a rich sauce. 4. Add your Ditalini and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add a splash of water if it gets too dry. 5. Turn off the heat. Stir in the Pecorino Romano until it creates a thick, cheesy sauce.
⭐ Video Chapters 0:00 What Italians Actually Eat at Home 0:29 Start with a Base of Onions 0:43 Everyone has Frozen Peas in the Freezer 1:30 The Creamy Secret 2:29 One-Pot Cooking 4:12 The Cheese Finish 4:50 Preview of Cream in the Pan 5:07 Plating 5:48 Giovanni
Why You’ll Love This Recipe: ✅ Authentic Italian Comfort: This isn't restaurant food; it’s the real-life soul food of Italy. ✅ True Mediterranean Diet: A perfect balance of plant-based protein and carbs that keeps you full and healthy. ✅ Zero-Stress Cooking: One pot, minimal ingredients, and only 20 minutes from start to finish.
Comment Below: I actually wasn't crazy about this as a kid, but now I absolutely love it! What about you? Was there a meal you hated growing up that you love now? Let me know in the comments! 👇🫛🍝
