Make Ahead

Grandma's macaroni and peas

by:
May 17, 2011
5
2 Ratings
Grandma's macaroni and peas
  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 35 minutes
  • Serves 6
Author Notes

My Italian American Grandma was not a convenience food lady. Everything was made from scratch. Pizza, pasta, and cake. But for this dish she used canned peas and tomatoes. It just works so that how I do it now. I always have peas, pasta, and tomatoes in the pantry. It's my go to cheap, easy, and yummy meal. —leigh frat

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 onion medium chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 can tomato puree (8 ounces)
  • 8 ounces water
  • 1 can sweet peas (8.5 ounces)
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 box pasta small shells or other small pasta
  • 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
Directions
  1. Saute onion in olive oil until soft Add 1 teaspoon salt.
  2. Add can of tomatoes and water. Also add the remaining salt. Cook 20 minutes.
  3. Drain liquid from peas. Add peas to sauce. Cook 15 minutes.
  4. Add cheese to the sauce.
  5. Cook pasta according to the directions until al dente.
  6. Drain and add pasta to the pea sauce. Enjoy.
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4 Reviews

Wendy C.
Wendy C. May 9, 2020
Good sauce, similar to an old Italian friend's family would make for me. But you only need to use a fraction of the salt here, as the tomatoes and cheese have plenty. I'd prefer the cheese added to each individual serving, not in the pan. Also, this didn't make nearly enough for 6 servings.
 
Roseann B.
Roseann B. July 23, 2018
Can't wait to try this..Sounds great..
 
Susan
Susan February 16, 2018
This is also how our family makes it , so fast,easy and fabulous ❤️
 
Theresa
Theresa December 5, 2017
My grandma (also Italian) made the same exact thing!! In fact I’m making it tonight. It is so simple and SO surprisingly delicious!