Description
Pasta e Piselli is a classic Italian comfort dish blending tender small pasta with sweet peas, savory smoked turkey bacon, and creamy plant-based cheese. Perfect for quick, cozy dinners, this recipe brings rich yet light flavors that warm and satisfy without any fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup small pasta (ditalini or elbow)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup shredded plant-based cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley or thyme), chopped
Optional Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent mixed with cold water
- Red pepper flakes or smoked paprika, to taste
- Protein boost: cooked chicken or seafood (shrimp, lobster, crab, squid, calamari, mussels, clams, oysters)
- Herb variations: basil or oregano
- Plant-based cream or mashed avocado for added creaminess
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely chop the onion and garlic, and slice the smoked turkey bacon into bite-sized pieces. Shell fresh peas if using fresh; frozen peas can be used directly without thawing.
- Sauté the Base: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for about 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add the smoked turkey bacon and cook until it starts to crisp, allowing the flavors to mingle.
- Cook the Pasta and Peas Together: Stir in the pasta, peas, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), and vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10-12 minutes until pasta is tender and peas are cooked. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If a creamier sauce is desired, gradually sprinkle in the natural gelling agent mixed with cold water while stirring constantly until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pasta and peas.
- Finish with Plant-Based Cheese and Herbs: Turn off the heat and gently fold in the shredded plant-based cheese and fresh herbs. Allow residual heat to melt the cheese, creating a creamy coating.
Notes
- Choose small pasta shapes like ditalini or elbow for best texture and scoop of peas and sauce.
- Use fresh peas if possible for brighter flavor.
- Do not overcook pasta to keep it al dente and maintain texture contrast.
- Sauté ingredients well to build a rich flavor base before adding liquids.
- Adjust consistency by adding vegetable broth if mixture becomes too thick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Pasta e Piselli, Italian comfort food, plant-based cheese, smoked turkey bacon, peas, easy pasta recipe
