Garlic Butter Ditalini Peas (Printable View)

Ditalini pasta tossed in a garlic butter sauce with fresh peas and Parmesan for a hearty meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz ditalini pasta
02 - 6 cups water
03 - 1 tablespoon salt

→ Sauce

04 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 4 large garlic cloves, finely minced
06 - 1 cup frozen peas (do not thaw)
07 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
10 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
11 - Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Add salt and ditalini pasta. Cook until just al dente, stirring occasionally. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain pasta.
02 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned, about 1 minute.
03 - Stir in frozen peas and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through and bright green.
04 - Add drained pasta to skillet with black pepper and red pepper flakes if using. Toss well to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to moisten.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese, parsley, and lemon zest if using. Toss until cheese melts and ingredients are combined.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Serve immediately topped with additional Parmesan.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in 25 minutes flat, making weeknight dinners feel less like a chore and more like something you actually want to cook.
  • The garlic butter coating is silky and rich without being heavy, and those peas add a pop of color and sweetness that feels almost luxurious.
  • It's genuinely budget-friendly but tastes like you put real thought and care into dinner.
02 -
  • Pasta water is your secret weapon here—that starchy liquid emulsifies with the butter and creates a silky sauce, so use it generously and don't feel shy about it.
  • Don't let the garlic brown or you'll end up with something bitter; watch it like a hawk, and the moment it goes golden and fragrant, move on to the next step.
03 -
  • If your mixture looks too dry as you're tossing, add pasta water a splash at a time until it turns silky—this is a forgiving dish that loves a little extra starch.
  • Fresh-cracked pepper and real butter make this dish feel elevated even though it costs almost nothing, so don't skip on those ingredients.
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