Last Updated on July 27, 2025 by Lisa Keys
Pasta with Peas
Choose happiness today even just for a moment and gently set your grief aside. We all deserve a break from the weight we carry. So why not invite some joy in, even if it's just a little?
After a long stretch of cold winter weather in my corner of the world, I'm feeling the cabin fever and I know I'm not alone. Anything that helps me shake off the heaviness and ease into spring feels like a gift. Tell me. What brings you happiness?
For me, it starts with planning a garden. I am currently taking a class, "The Hungry Gardener" at the famous Longwood Gardens which is just a mile from my house. The class is filled with a variety of interesting people including a private chef, a health coach and a young couple living on a 60 acre farm.
We all have one thing in common and that is the desire to grow our own food. I also signed on with a web based program offered by the Territorial seed company. I can plan my entire garden on the computer complete with alerts and reminders about crop rotation, frost dates, when to start and plant seeds, etc. It's fun and makes me happy. I can't wait to harvest what I sow. Maybe I should think about growing peas.
In the meantime, I am eating frozen peas. It's OK as they are the one vegetable that tastes quite good directly from the freezer to the pot. Nothing could be easier or tastier than this old-fashioned Italian specialty: Pasta with Peas. I bet you have all the ingredients right in your pantry and freezer. So what is stopping you from making this comforting Italian pasta dish? Happy Spring!
Pasta with Peas
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups ditalini pasta or small shells
- 1 cup frozen petite peas
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 sweet onion chopped
- 1 large clove garlic minced
- 2 slices prosciutto thinly sliced
- 1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth
- ¼ cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- pinch of crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. During last 5 minutes of cooking time add frozen peas.
- Meanwhile, in large skillet, over medium heat, combine olive oil and butter.
- Add onions; cook 5 to 8 minutes or until softened. The onions should not get brown.
- Add garlic and prosciutto; cook, stirring for 1 minute.
- Add broth.
- Drain pasta and peas; add to skillet. Cook until just heated through.
- Add cheese and parsley.
- Spoon into serving bowls and top with additional cheese and parsley and some freshly ground pepper, if desired.
Snappy Gourmet
Pasta is my comfort food and makes me happy. 🙂 Hopefully spring will be here someday! 🙂
lisakeys64
What's your favorite pasta sauce?
Betsy Bailey
🙂
lisakeys64
Love the happy faces
Nancy
A pooch and pasta are definitely ingredients in a recipe for happiness. Your garden sounds so fun. I wish I had one -- I don't have space for anything more than herbs and a lemon tree in pots on my driveway. But even that little "garden" brings joy. Good lick with yours.
lisakeys64
Thanks for stopping by Nancy. I bet you cook up some pretty great things with those herbs and lemons! There are lots of innovative ideas out there for those who don't have much ground garden. There are vertical gardens and even gardens grown in gutters--very clever stuff.
Christy Matino
So easy to make and super delicious! A great Italian dish for an easy pasta night.
Lisa Keys
Thank you so much for your kind review. I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe.