Peas & Cheese Bucatini Recipe

Easy Cheesy Peas & Cheese Bucatini Recipe Ready in Minutes

Peas and cheese bucatini upgrades an ordinary pasta dish into a vibrant culinary adventure.

Creamy textures and bright green vegetables create a delightful symphony on your plate.

This simple yet sophisticated recipe marries classic Italian comfort with fresh seasonal ingredients.

Smooth bucatini noodles provide the perfect canvas for a rich, velvety sauce that combines tangy cheese and sweet garden peas.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate how effortlessly these ingredients complement each other.

Robust flavors emerge from careful technique and quality components that elevate a seemingly humble meal.

The combination promises a delightful dining experience that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

What Makes Peas & Cheese Bucatini Special

  • Savor Speedy Sophistication: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet meal in just minutes, making fancy pasta dishes accessible for busy home cooks.
  • Embrace Creamy Cheese Comfort: The combination of parmesan and pecorino romano creates a luxuriously smooth sauce that hugs each strand of bucatini, delivering rich, tangy flavor in every bite.
  • Elevate Everyday Ingredients: Frozen peas and common pantry staples come together with professional cooking techniques, proving that remarkable meals don't require complicated or expensive components.

What You’ll Need for Peas & Cheese Bucatini

Pasta Base:
  • Bucatini Pasta: Classic long, hollow pasta that perfectly captures creamy sauce and holds ingredients well.
Dairy Components:
  • Parmesan Cheese, Pecorino Romano Cheese: Sharp, salty Italian cheeses that create a rich, creamy sauce with complex flavor profile.
Produce and Seasonings:
  • Frozen Peas: Sweet, tender vegetable that adds color, nutrition, and freshness to the dish.
  • Black Pepper: Warm, aromatic spice that provides a subtle heat and depth to the sauce.
Additional Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: High-quality fat that helps toast pepper and create smooth sauce base.
  • Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances overall flavor of the pasta dish.
  • Pasta Water: Starchy liquid that helps bind sauce and pasta together, creating a silky texture.

Cooking Peas & Cheese Bucatini Made Easy

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook bucatini pasta according to package directions. Before draining, carefully scoop out of pasta water and set aside.

Step 2: Toast Aromatic Pepper

Heat olive oil in a skillet over low heat. Sprinkle black pepper into the oil and toast for about 30 seconds until the pepper releases its rich, spicy fragrance.

Step 3: Create Creamy Cheese Sauce

Add to the skillet:
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Pecorino romano cheese
  • Salt
  • Reserved pasta water

Stir ingredients together until they form a smooth, silky sauce.

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Transfer cooked bucatini into the skillet. Gently toss pasta over low heat for 1 minute, allowing the cheese to melt and coat each strand evenly.

Step 5: Add Vibrant Peas

Fold frozen peas into the pasta. Cook until peas are heated through and bright green. Remove from heat and serve immediately for a delightful, quick meal that combines creamy cheese and sweet peas.

Handy Pointers for Peas & Cheese Bucatini

  • Enhance Pasta Texture: Cook bucatini al dente to maintain a perfect chewy bite and prevent mushiness.
  • Master Cheese Melting: Grate cheeses freshly and remove skillet from direct heat to prevent clumping and ensure smooth sauce consistency.
  • Control Pasta Water Magic: Add reserved pasta water gradually, stirring constantly to create a silky, emulsified sauce that clings beautifully to noodles.
  • Maximize Pea Flavor: Use fresh or high-quality frozen peas and add them at the last moment to preserve their bright color and sweet taste.
  • Balance Pepper Intensity: Toast black pepper carefully to release its aromatic oils without burning, ensuring a rich, complex flavor profile.

Keeping Peas & Cheese Bucatini Fresh Later

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Gently reheat the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to help loosen the sauce and prevent sticking. Stir continuously to restore the creamy texture and ensure even warming. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the pasta tough and dry out the cheese sauce.

Flavors That Pair with Peas & Cheese Bucatini

  • Enhance Cheese Complexity: Pair this creamy bucatini with a crisp, mineral-driven white wine like Pinot Grigio from Italy. The wine's light acidity cuts through the rich cheese sauce while complementing the sweet peas.
  • Brighten the Plate: Add a fresh arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette on the side. The peppery greens and tangy dressing provide a zesty contrast to the smooth, cheesy pasta.
  • Elevate with Protein: Serve alongside grilled chicken breast seasoned with herbs like thyme or rosemary. The lean protein adds depth without overwhelming the delicate pasta's flavor profile.
  • Crunchy Texture Boost: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or breadcrumbs on top of the pasta. These add a delightful crunch that balances the creamy sauce and soft peas.

Different Twists on Peas & Cheese Bucatini

  • Green Veggie Remix: Swap frozen peas with asparagus, broccoli, or spinach for a different green vegetable profile that adds extra nutrition and color.
  • Protein Power Upgrade: Incorporate crispy pancetta, diced chicken, or shredded rotisserie meat to transform the pasta into a heartier main course.
  • Herb Garden Edition: Sprinkle fresh basil, chopped chives, or finely minced parsley on top to introduce vibrant herbal notes and enhance the overall flavor complexity.
  • Spicy Mediterranean Style: Add red pepper flakes, a pinch of dried oregano, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired version that brings warmth and depth to the classic recipe.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Peas & Cheese Bucatini Recipe

Peas & Cheese Bucatini Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Peas & Cheese Bucatini brings Italian comfort to your dinner table with creamy pecorino and sweet spring peas. Rich pasta strands blend silky sauce and fresh ingredients, creating a simple yet luxurious meal that will delight you in minutes.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces (340 grams) bucatini pasta
  • 1 cup (150 grams) frozen peas

Cheeses:

  • ¾ cup (75 grams) grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup (50 grams) grated pecorino romano cheese

Seasonings and Liquids:

  • ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) pasta water

Instructions

  1. Fill a spacious pot with generously salted water and bring to a rolling boil, then gently submerge the bucatini pasta, cooking precisely according to the package guidelines while carefully preserving of the starchy cooking liquid.
  2. In a separate skillet, warm the olive oil over gentle heat and introduce freshly cracked black pepper, allowing it to bloom and release its aromatic essence for approximately 30 seconds.
  3. Gradually incorporate the grated parmesan cheese, pecorino romano cheese, a pinch of salt, and the reserved pasta water into the skillet, whisking diligently to create a smooth, cohesive sauce.
  4. Transfer the perfectly cooked bucatini into the skillet, delicately tossing over low heat for about 60 seconds to ensure the cheese thoroughly melts and enrobes each strand of pasta with a luxurious, silky coating.
  5. Introduce the frozen green peas into the skillet, stirring gently until they reach a pleasant warmth throughout, maintaining the sauce’s creamy consistency.
  6. Plate the pasta immediately, serving while the dish remains piping hot and the texture is at its most sublime, inviting immediate enjoyment.

Notes

  • Toasting black pepper releases its aromatic oils, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish.
  • Reserve pasta water before draining, as the starchy liquid helps create a smooth, clingy sauce.
  • Use freshly grated parmesan and pecorino romano for maximum flavor and better melting consistency.
  • Cook peas briefly to maintain their bright green color and prevent overcooking.
  • Low heat is crucial for preventing cheese from becoming grainy or separating during sauce preparation.
  • This quick one-pan meal transforms simple ingredients into a creamy, comforting pasta dish in under 15 minutes.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 520 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star