Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of perfectly cooked spaghetti, bursting with vibrant flavors of sweet peas and tangy sun-dried tomatoes. This isn't just another pasta dish - it's a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal in just 20 minutes! Whether you're a busy professional, a home cook looking for a fast dinner solution, or someone who craves authentic Italian flavors without hours of preparation, this spaghetti recipe is about to become your new weeknight hero.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 400g spaghetti
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. This will be used to cook the spaghetti. The salt helps to flavor the pasta as it cooks.
- Once the water is boiling, add 400g of spaghetti to the pot. Cook according to the package instructions, typically around 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking.
- While the spaghetti is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Allow the oil to warm up for about a minute.
- Add 2 cloves of minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté the garlic for about 1-2 minutes, or until it becomes fragrant and slightly golden, being careful not to burn it.
- Next, add 1 cup of frozen peas to the skillet. Stir them into the garlic and oil mixture and cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until the peas are heated through and tender.
- Once the peas are cooked, add 1/2 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- When the spaghetti is done cooking, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the spaghetti in a colander.
- Add the drained spaghetti directly to the skillet with the peas and sun-dried tomatoes. Toss everything together, adding a little reserved pasta water if the mixture seems dry. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat.
- To serve, divide the spaghetti among four plates and generously sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your delicious spaghetti with peas and sun-dried tomatoes!
Tips
- Always salt your pasta water generously - it should taste like the sea to properly season your pasta from within.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water before draining. The starchy liquid helps create a silky sauce and helps ingredients stick to the pasta.
- Cook your pasta just until al dente - it will continue cooking slightly when mixed with the hot sauce.
- Use high-quality sun-dried tomatoes for maximum flavor impact. If they seem dry, briefly soak them in warm olive oil before adding to the skillet.
- Don't rush the garlic sautéing process - low and slow prevents burning and releases deeper flavors.
- For extra richness, consider adding a small pat of butter when tossing the pasta in the final step.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 14g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 5mg
