This easy pasta and peas recipe ranks very high as one of my favorite cheap meals. It does require a bit more effort than other pasta dishes but is definitely worth it. Leftovers are still delicious for lunch the next day.
How To Make Pasta and Peas
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this cheap pasta and peas meal.
Ingredients
- Small pasta of choice – you can use ditalini, elbow, bow tie, or small shells
- Frozen peas
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Salt
- Pepper
- Oregano
- Water – to cook the pasta
Instructions
- Put a medium-large pot, half-filled with water, on the stove for the pasta. Drizzle a little bit of olive oil and add salt. Bring to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions.
- Add olive oil to a separate small-medium pot and saute onion until soft. You do not want the onion to brown.
- Add frozen peas and seasonings and cook according to package directions. Stir occasionally.
- When pasta is cooked. use a colander to drain the water, and add it back to the pot.
- When the peas are cooked, add them to the larger pot with the pasta and stir gently.
- Serve and enjoy!
What to Serve with Pasta and Peas
- A side salad of your choice: lettuce and tomato; tomato and cucumber; or tomato and fresh mozzarella are all delicious options.
- Garlic bread.
- Protein of your choice – if the pasta and peas is a side dish.
- Frittata made with eggs and spinach.
What Makes This a Cheap Meal?
Both pasta and frozen vegetables are budget-friendly ingredients for any meal. I love how quick, easy, and convenient they are to cook at the same time – in separate pots – and then just mix them together!
Additional Ways to Make Pasta with Frozen Veggies
- Pasta and Broccoli
- Pasta with Peas and Carrots
- Pasta and Mixed Vegetables
Substitutions for Picky Eater(s)?
I have two picky eaters in my house. It is difficult to get them both to eat vegetables and one of them refuses to eat pasta at all. It breaks this Italian Momma’s heart every time, but I still love him!
With that said, for the one that is willing to eat pasta but not the peas, I just add a little bit of butter to hers and she is good to go. For the other one, either I will offer something different that is equally easy to put together or he will make something for himself. He is a teenager and more than capable.
