Use your favorite pasta, bacon, frozen peas, Parmesan cheese and broth to make a delicious side or main dish. It's perfect for busy days when time is short but you still want a yummy meal.
1 lb. pasta, egg noodles, penne, rigatoni, spiral or favorite
3 T. olive oil
3 c. frozen peas
1 1/2 c. vegetable or chicken broth
5 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. black pepper
2 T. butter
1 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 c. crumbled, crispy bacon or bacon bits
Bring a large pot of well salted water (1 T.) to a boil for the pasta. Add the pasta; cook for 1 minute less than the box directions.
While the pasta is cooking, add the olive oil, frozen peas, broth, garlic, salt, and pepper to a skillet. Place over medium-high heat; bring to a simmer; cook for 5 minutes or until the peas are soft. There will still be broth left in the skillet.
Reserve 2 c. of the pasta cooking water; set aside. Drain the pasta; add pasta to the peas. Cook over medium heat, turning the pasta over in the broth to finish cooking. Add the butter and the Parmesan cheese; stir.
If the pasta looks dry, add 1/4 c. or more of the reserved pasta cooking water. Season with salt and pepper, if needed.
Serve, sprinkled with bacon bits and more Parmesan cheese.
4-6 servings.