Simple Italian Pasta and Peas Recipe

Pasta and peas (pasta e piselli) is a simple pasta dish that the whole family will enjoy. Made with frozen peas, pasta, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, and bacon, it's a quick Italian recipe that is sure to please.

This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a commission if you purchase through one of my links.

Cheap Pasta Dish

One of my frugal meal planning strategies that I use every single week in my own home to use balance. The premise is to balance pricier meals with dirt cheap meals in the same week. Can families on a budget never eat shrimp, fish, or pricier cuts of meat? Not in my experience. Most families on a budget can still eat pricier items sometimes as long as it is counter balanced with a less expensive meal in the same week like this Italian pasta and peas recipe.

Meatless or low-meat simple pasta dishes are excellent choices for the menu item for the week because pasta is inexpensive, filling, and stretches a long way. Regular wheat based pasta can be found for $1.00/box. Even if using a more expensive gluten-free pasta, like I do in my own home, this pasta and peas is still low cost and delicious! Anytime you mix pasta with bacon, it's going to be yummy in my opinion.

Ingredient List

• spaghetti
• frozen peas or fresh peas
• garlic
• onion
• bacon
• extra virgin olive oil
• lemon juice
• Parmesan cheese or Pecorino Romano
• salt and black pepper

The frozen peas used in this dish are something that I always keep stocked in my freezer for a quick side dish or to add into fried rice, soups, etc. I am a huge advocate for keeping frugal versatile items stocked in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, and you can't beat the price and versatility of a bag of frozen peas.

The fresh ingredients like the lemon juice and grated parmesan give it that acidic kick that brings the dish to life. If it is spring and you want to substitute fresh spring peas for the frozen, feel free to do so. It will just be even more delightful and seasonal.

Simple Step by Step Instructions

1. First, cook pasta in a large pot of salty boiling water until it is al dente. No one wants mushy pasta.

2. Next, saute onion and bacon over medium heat in a large skillet to get that flavor going.

3. Then, add the garlic, salt, pepper, and peas.

4. Drain pasta, reserving a cup of pasta water. Stir in some of the cooking water, lemon juice, and olive oil, and toss with the cooked pasta.

5. Lastly, grate some parmesan cheese on top and toss pasta to combine.

I think you will love this easy weeknight dinner if you are a pasta lover. If you ever make one of my dishes and post online, use the hashtag #eatwellspendsmart on Instagram and Facebook. I'd love to see what you're making. Happy cooking!