Description
Classic Italian comfort dish pasta e piselli brings together simple ingredients in a creamy, hearty celebration of rustic cooking. Home cooks can savor this quick Neapolitan favorite that delivers rich flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 500 g (1 lb) fresh or frozen peas
- 1 large shallot, finely chopped
Pasta and Cheese:
- 320 g (11 oz) ditalini or another type of small pasta
- 50 g (1 cup) freshly grated parmesan, plus extra for serving
Seasonings and Oils:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Handful of fresh basil (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium flame, gently caramelize the shallot until translucent and aromatic, releasing its delicate flavor profile.
- Simultaneously, ignite a pot of water to a rolling boil, season generously with salt, then immerse pasta, cooking only halfway through the recommended package duration while preserving a substantial quantity of starchy liquid.
- Introduce vibrant green peas into the shallot-infused pan, cascade reserved pasta water, and allow them to simmer gently, transforming into tender morsels of sweetness.
- Carefully transfer partially cooked pasta into the pea-laden skillet, progressively incorporating additional pasta water, stirring attentively until pasta reaches perfect al dente consistency and a silky, inviting sauce emerges.
- Remove from heat, fold in freshly grated parmesan and torn basil leaves, creating a harmonious blend of flavors, then season judiciously with salt and cracked black pepper to elevate the dish’s nuanced taste.
- Plate immediately, crowning the creation with an extra flourish of parmesan, presenting a rustic, comforting Italian classic that celebrates simplicity and seasonal ingredients.
Notes
- Quick and comforting Italian one-pot meal that transforms simple ingredients into a creamy, flavorful dish.
- Reserve pasta water is crucial for creating a silky, emulsified sauce that coats every pasta strand perfectly.
- Partially cooking pasta in the pan with peas allows it to absorb flavor and create a naturally creamy texture without heavy cream.
- Fresh herbs like basil add a bright, aromatic finish that elevates the entire dish’s flavor profile.
- Parmesan cheese provides a rich, salty depth that complements the sweet peas and enhances the overall taste.
- Cooking technique requires constant stirring and gradual liquid addition to achieve the ideal creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg