Description
This comforting and flavorful Pasta e Piselli recipe combines tender peas, smoky turkey bacon, and creamy plant-based cheese for a simple yet satisfying Italian classic. Easy to prepare with minimal ingredients, this dish is perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or special weekend meals. It features a delightful balance of textures and tastes, capturing the essence of home-style cooking with fresh herbs and a rich, savory broth.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Peas
- 200g dry pasta (ditalini or elbow macaroni)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
Proteins
- 100g smoked turkey bacon, sliced into small pieces
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids and Sauces
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (natural)
Dairy and Cheese
- 100g plant-based cheese (plant-based), shredded or cubed
Herbs and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely chop the onion and garlic. Slice the smoked turkey bacon into small pieces. Rinse fresh peas if using, or measure frozen peas. Gather all spices and liquids to have everything ready.
- Sauté the Base: Heat olive oil (natural) in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add the turkey bacon and cook until just crisp, releasing its smoky aroma.
- Add Peas and Broth: Stir the peas into the pan. Pour in the vegetable broth and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Bring to a gentle simmer, allowing the peas to soften and flavors to develop.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the dry pasta directly into the simmering broth and peas. Cook according to package instructions, stirring often to prevent sticking and to let the pasta absorb the flavorful liquid.
- Finish With Cheese and Herbs: Once the pasta is tender, stir in the plant-based cheese (plant-based) gradually until it melts smoothly into the sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Fold in freshly chopped herbs for a fresh burst of flavor and color.
Notes
- Use fresh peas when possible as they provide sweeter flavor and better texture than frozen.
- Reserve some pasta cooking liquid to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.
- Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushiness since it continues cooking in the broth mixture.
- Stir frequently during cooking to distribute flavors evenly and prevent sticking.
- Add plant-based cheese gradually for a creamy, cohesive sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Pasta e Piselli, Italian pasta recipe, plant-based cheese pasta, smoked turkey bacon pasta, pea pasta recipe, easy Italian dinner
