Creamy, comforting, and bursting with flavor, this Macaroni and Peas recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. Featuring tender macaroni pasta, sweet frozen peas, and a luxurious garlic-infused cream sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and melted Parmesan cheese, this dish is both simple and satisfyingly indulgent. The final touch of fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness, while a sprinkle of black pepper ties everything together. Ideal for family meals or casual gatherings, this recipe is an effortless blend of wholesome ingredients and creamy decadence. Quick, easy, and utterly delicious, this pasta dish is sure to become a household favorite!
Bring 1 liter of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water.
Once the water is boiling, add the macaroni pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (approximately 8-10 minutes).
In the last 2 minutes of the pasta's cooking time, add the frozen peas to the pot with the boiling pasta.
While the pasta and peas are cooking, finely mince the garlic cloves.
In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir gently and let it warm through for about 2-3 minutes without boiling.
Grate the parmesan cheese and slowly add it to the cream sauce, stirring constantly until melted and the sauce is smooth.
Drain the macaroni and peas, reserving about 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Add the pasta and peas directly to the skillet with the cream sauce. Toss everything together to coat evenly.
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency.
Season the pasta with black pepper to taste. Adjust salt if needed (remember the parmesan is salty).
Finely chop the fresh parsley and sprinkle it over the top before serving.
Serve warm and enjoy your Macaroni and Peas!
Calories |
813 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 78.4 g | 101% | |
| Saturated Fat | 47.0 g | 235% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 226 mg | 76% | |
| Sodium | 2759 mg | 120% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 4.4 g | 2% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.6 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.1 g | ||
| Protein | 16.9 g | 34% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 534 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 0.6 mg | 3% | |
| Potassium | 76 mg | 2% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.