Description
A quick and comforting pasta dish featuring sweet peas, fragrant garlic, and savory Parmesan cheese tossed in a light, silky sauce. This simple recipe delivers fresh flavor and satisfying texture in every bite.
Ingredients
12 oz pasta (such as spaghetti or fettuccine)
1 cup fresh or frozen peas
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Stir in the peas and cook for 3–4 minutes until heated through and tender.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the peas and garlic.
- Toss everything together, adding small amounts of the reserved pasta water until a light, silky sauce forms and coats the pasta.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve warm, garnished with freshly chopped basil and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Add grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or white beans for extra protein.
For a creamier version, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a spoonful of ricotta.
Lemon zest can add brightness and crushed red pepper flakes can add mild heat.
Frozen peas work perfectly and do not need to be thawed before cooking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
When reheating, add a splash of water or olive oil to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
