Pappardelle with Peas and Bacon is a great way to enjoy a satisfying bowl of creamy pasta without feeling bogged down with heaviness. It has a splash of cream, just enough to cling to the noodles and make it taste heavenly. The bacon is a must for a burst of salty, meaty texture to this dish, so it’s recommended not to omit it. The peas provide that fresh, earthy bite that makes this a pasta dish that you want to eat during the summer. It’s also a lovely way to use your fresh garden peas if you’re lucky enough to have them. You simply need to simmer your fresh shelled peas in lightly salted water for about 6-7 minutes until just tender and add to the pasta with the parmesan cheese at the end. It’s so good!
Don’t have pappardelle pasta? No problem, I’ve made this recipe many times using fettuccini, linguini and penne rigate. I happen to enjoy it most with the pappardelle, but use what you have and enjoy!
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a gentle boil.
Meanwhile, heat a medium skillet over medium heat and cook bacon until crisp-tender. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined dish reserving a tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package directions. Drain pasta, reserving a cup of hot pasta water.
Heat remaining bacon fat over medium-low heat and add garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until starting to soften but not brown.
Stir in cream, peas and salt. Heat to a full simmer and allow to reduce for 1 minute.
Reduce heat to low and stir in pasta, reserved bacon, parmesan cheese and parsley and toss until combined and creamy. Add a small amount of hot pasta water as needed to bring everything together. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve immediately with additional parmesan cheese.
Recipe Notes
-Linguini, fettucini and penne rigate work well in this recipe if pappardelle is not available. Simply substitute your favourite using the same quantity size as stated in the recipe.
-Fresh summer peas are optimal in this recipe if you have them. Simmer your fresh peas in lightly salted water for 6-7 minutes until just tender and add at the end with the parmesan cheese
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Tuna Noodle Casserole is one of my favourite family casseroles. It has just the right ratio of noodles to sauce and is topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs. It’s also cheesy, hearty and comforting and a one scoop meal with the peas baked right in. It does take a little extra time to make the sauce, cook the noodles and bake, so I would say it’s a nice weekend casserole. The recipe is simple and uses everyday ingredients, which means there are no unnecessary trips to the grocery store. The kids will love it and you’ll likely get leftovers as it makes a 9”x13” pan.
Be sure not to overcook the noodles as they will continue to cook slightly while baking in the sauce. I will generally cook them a minute or two less than the package instructions. To save time and be efficient, I like to start cooking the sauce while the water comes to a boil and the noodles cook. Get the kids helping by grating cheese and flaking the tuna. Enjoy!
Cook noodles for slightly less time than package instructions so they are al dente (firm to the bite). Drain well.
While noodles are cooking, melt the 1/4 cup of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until combined. Slowly add a cup of hot milk whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth and starts to bubble. Continue adding hot milk and whisking until all the milk has been added and the mixture is smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, whisking often.
Remove sauce from heat and whisk in mushroom soup, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Stir in half of the cheddar cheese, tuna, and peas until combined. Add drained noodles and stir to evenly coat.
Spray a 9"x13" casserole dish with non-stick spray and pour casserole into the dish, spreading out evenly. Top with remaining cheddar cheese.
Stir together breadcrumbs, melted butter, parsley and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Spread evenly over casserole and bake on the centre rack for 35-40 minutes until bubbly and the top is golden. Remove from oven and serve immediately.
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Couscous with Peas and Peanuts is a quick and easy side dish hinted with curry and speckled with peas and peanuts. You’ll love it for its simplicity but will make it again because of the flavour. The peanuts add just the right amount of crunch and the peas and cilantro make it fresh and bright.
You can never really have enough good side dishes in your arsenal and a little variety helps make dinner more exciting. So let the plain rice stay in the shadows and put a little something different on the table. Great with grilled or pan fried meats and a lovely use of fresh peas if you’re lucky enough to have them.
In a medium pot sauté onions in butter over medium heat until soft, 3-4 minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil. Add fresh peas, cover and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Stir in curry powder, salt, pepper, couscous and peanuts. Cover and remove from heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in cilantro. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
If using frozen peas, add peas once broth is boiling, but do not continue to cook. Allow broth to return to a boil and continue with recipe.
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