Creamy Peas & Cheese Bucatini Recipe: A Comforting Pasta Dream

Creamy, comforting peas and cheese bucatini dances on the palate with surprising elegance.

This simple Italian pasta dish blends sweet green peas with rich, melted cheese in a delightful harmony.

bucatini, the thick spaghetti-like noodle with a distinctive hole, absorbs the silky sauce perfectly.

Each twirled forkful promises a burst of bright vegetable sweetness balanced by sharp, tangy cheese notes.

The recipe comes together faster than most weeknight meals, making it an ideal solution for hungry diners.

Tender peas and velvety cheese create a luxurious coating that clings to every strand of pasta.

You’ll savor every satisfying bite of this quick, irresistible comfort meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 577 kcal

Servings: 5

Peas & Cheese Bucatini: Ingredient Essentials

• Bucatini: Long, hollow pasta perfect for capturing creamy sauces with its unique tube-like structure. Choose bronze-cut pasta for superior sauce adherence.
• Salt: Essential for enhancing pasta's natural flavor during boiling. Use kosher or sea salt for best taste.

• Parmesan Cheese, Pecorino Romano: Sharp, aged cheeses that create a luxurious, tangy sauce with incredible depth. Select freshly grated wheels for maximum flavor intensity.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, spicy notes that complement the cheese's richness. Use freshly ground for robust, aromatic results.

• Olive Oil: Provides silky base for toasting pepper and creating smooth sauce. Select extra virgin for best quality and flavor.
• Frozen Peas: Sweet, tender vegetables that bring bright color and freshness to the dish. Choose premium quality for best texture and taste.
• Pasta Water: Starchy liquid that helps bind sauce and pasta, creating a silky, cohesive coating. Always reserve before draining pasta.

Tools You’ll Use for Peas & Cheese Bucatini

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta with plenty of space.
• Skillet: Perfect for creating creamy cheese sauce and warming ingredients.
• Measuring cup: Helps reserve precise amount of pasta water.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring pasta and mixing sauce smoothly.
• Colander: Needed to drain cooked pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Cheese grater: Optional for freshly grating parmesan and pecorino romano.

How to Cook Peas & Cheese Bucatini Simply

• Pasta Preparation

Boil a large pot of salted water and cook bucatini until perfectly al dente, keeping some pasta water aside for the magical sauce.

• Pepper Awakening

Gently warm olive oil in a skillet and dance black pepper around until its aroma fills the kitchen.

• Cheese Symphony

Blend parmesan and pecorino romano into the skillet, creating a creamy base with reserved pasta water that hugs each pasta strand.

• Pasta Embrace

Introduce cooked bucatini to the cheesy haven, allowing gentle heat to meld flavors and create a silky coating.

• Pea Finale

Sprinkle frozen peas into the skillet, warming them through and adding a burst of vibrant green to the creamy dish. Serve immediately while the sauce is luxuriously smooth and enticing.

Creative Twists on Peas & Cheese Bucatini

• Mix in crispy pancetta or bacon bits for a smoky, salty crunch that elevates the creamy cheese sauce.
• Roast asparagus or add fresh spinach leaves during the last minute of cooking to increase nutritional value and introduce vibrant green colors.
• Experiment with different hard cheese combinations like aged gruyère or sharp cheddar to create unique flavor profiles that complement the peas.
• Swap traditional bucatini with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta varieties to accommodate dietary restrictions without sacrificing taste and texture.

Presenting and Serving Peas & Cheese Bucatini

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped basil or parsley on top for a burst of color and fresh flavor that complements the creamy cheese sauce.
• Create a Crispy Topping: Scatter toasted breadcrumbs or crispy pancetta bits over the pasta to add a delightful crunch and extra texture to the dish.
• Pair with a Light Salad: Serve alongside a simple green salad with a zesty lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness of the cheesy pasta and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Wine Companion: Match the meal with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the creamy, cheesy flavors of the bucatini.

How to Store Peas & Cheese Bucatini Properly

• Refrigerate Smart: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring the pasta remains fresh and flavorful.
• Quick Reheat Technique: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of pasta water to restore creamy texture and prevent drying out, stirring frequently to maintain sauce consistency.
• Freeze with Caution: While possible, freezing may alter the cheese sauce's smoothness, so enjoy this dish freshly prepared for the best taste and texture.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop cheeses and measure ingredients in advance, allowing for faster meal assembly when you're short on cooking time.

Silky Peas & Cheese Bucatini Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Classic Italian pasta, this peas & cheese bucatini showcases simple ingredients with elegant simplicity. Home cooks can savor creamy textures and fresh flavors that transport diners straight to Mediterranean kitchens.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz (340 g) bucatini pasta
• 1 cup (150 g) frozen peas
• ¾ cup (75 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) olive oil
• 2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) pasta water

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Fill a large pot with salted water, bringing to a vigorous boil. Immerse bucatini and cook according to package instructions, reserving a cup of starchy cooking liquid.
2. Flavor Foundation: In a skillet, warm olive oil and gently toast black pepper for 30 seconds, releasing its robust aromatics and creating a flavor base for the sauce.
3. Sauce Creation: Whisk parmesan, pecorino romano, salt, and reserved pasta water into the skillet, crafting a smooth, velvety sauce that will cling perfectly to the pasta.
4. Pasta Integration: Transfer drained bucatini into the skillet, gently tossing over low heat to ensure each strand becomes luxuriously coated with the cheese sauce, allowing the flavors to meld seamlessly.
5. Final Touch: Fold in frozen green peas, warming them through while maintaining the sauce’s creamy consistency and ensuring even distribution throughout the dish.
6. Serving: Plate immediately while steaming hot, presenting a harmonious blend of cheesy, peppery pasta with vibrant green peas, ready to be savored.

Notes

• Master Pasta Water Technique: Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water before draining, as this liquid gold helps create a silky, emulsified sauce with perfect consistency.
• Pepper Blooming Trick: Toast black pepper in olive oil for exactly 30 seconds to unlock its deepest, most complex flavor profile and enhance the overall dish’s aromatic quality.
• Cheese Melting Secret: Whisk cheese gradually and continuously to prevent clumping, ensuring a smooth, creamy sauce that coats every pasta strand evenly.
• Frozen Pea Pro Tip: Add frozen peas at the end and warm them gently to maintain their bright color and prevent overcooking, preserving their sweet, fresh texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 577
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 232 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 66 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 22 mg