Macaroni & Peas Comfort (Printable)

Tender macaroni and sweet peas come together in a creamy, flavorful dish perfect for any night.

# What you need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried macaroni

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup frozen or fresh green peas
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy & Flavorings

05 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
06 - 1/4 cup whole milk or cream
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - Salt, to taste
09 - Black pepper, to taste
10 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

# How to make it:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until al dente according to package instructions.
02 - Two minutes before macaroni is done, add peas to the boiling water and continue cooking.
03 - While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Drain macaroni and peas, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
05 - Add drained pasta and peas to skillet with onions. Stir in milk or cream, grated Parmesan, a splash of reserved pasta water, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Toss over low heat until creamy and coated, adding more pasta water as needed.
06 - Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese if preferred.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Quick and easy to prepare
  • Uses simple, pantry-staple ingredients
02 -
  • For vegan version, use olive oil, plant-based milk, and nutritional yeast
  • You can add cooked ham, bacon, or tuna for extra protein
03 -
  • Reserve pasta water for a silky, creamy sauce
  • Sprinkle fresh herbs on top for flavor and color
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