Mac and Peas

I'm bad at meal prep. I want to make lunch and dinner for the coming week on Sunday, but I can be a little lazy and want something that's quick and easy to clean up. Enter Mac and Peas. This recipe was simple, quick, and the best part - only about $12 to make.

Ingredients:

10 ounces of small pasta of your choice

1 pound of frozen peas

3 tablespoons of butter

1 minced garlic clove

1 chopped shallot

Optional: a few slices of white onion

1 cup of grated cheese of your choice. I used Parmesan for this recipe. 

Pinch of salt

Pinch of pepper

Put a large pot of salted water on the stove and turn the heat on high to bring to a boil. While the water boils, add the frozen peas to another pot and fill with enough water to just cover the peas. Bring to a boil and cook until the peas are tender, about 5 minutes. Drain the peas and save the pea water. Cook the pasta in the larger pot and drain when done.

In a saucepan, melt the butter and add in the garlic, shallot, and white onion if you choose to add it.  Cook for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic, shallot, and onion start to sizzle a little. Add the butter, garlic, shallot, and onion to a food processor. Add half of the peas and half a cup of the grated cheese. Puree until it starts to smooth. Add in the pea water to smoothen out or thin if needed. Taste the puree and add salt and pepper if desired.

In the large pot, mix the pasta, pea puree, the remaining peas, and the remaining cheese. Add salt and pepper if wanted.

Adapted from this Food52 recipe.