20 Best Pea Recipes for a Taste of Springtime
Use them in salads, sides, and one-pot meals.
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A sure sign of spring is the appearance of fresh little green balls of goodness on our plates: peas. They add a burst of flavor and color on everything from spring salads to Easter side dishes. And not only are they tasty, but they're very nutritious and cook very quickly thanks to their petite stature. So if you're looking to find a quick solution to add something green to your meal, look no further than these pea recipes.
Of course, peas aren't just for springtime. In fact, they are some of the best frozen vegetables you can buy. They defrost in a matter of minutes and retain their shape, flavor, and nutrients, which is why you'll see them in a lot of casserole recipes and heartier dishes chockfull of other veggies like asparagus, rhubarb, or radishes. Dried peas are also very affordable and easy to cook, making some of the best soup recipes with quick prep time. (No pre-soaking required!)
Since there are many types of peas (snow peas versus snap peas, for instance), we've narrowed this list down to standard sweet pea recipes with a few snap pea recipes thrown in for good measure. Whether you pick them fresh from your vegetable garden, or opt for the frozen or dried varieties, we've included recipes for all of them here so you can enjoy the tender tastiness of spring no matter what season it might be outside your window.
Pea Salad
A favorite of Ree Drummond's from childhood, this creamy salad has crunchy onions and savory bacon mixed in for added texture. It makes an excellent side for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Get Ree's Pea Salad recipe.
Arugula and Three-Pea Salad
Oh, the greenery! You'll find sharp, peppery arugula, lots of fresh herbs, and sweet, snap, and snow peas, all tossed together with goat cheese and radish slices.
Get Ree's Arugula and Three-Pea Salad recipe.
Split Pea Soup With Ham
A bowl of pure comfort and an excellent way to use leftover ham from Easter, split pea soup only takes ten minutes of prep. That means you can make it on any busy weeknight!
Get the Split Pea Soup With Ham recipe.
Creamy Pasta Primavera
Fact: You can't have primavera without peas. You'll find a few options on this list, but why not start with a recipe that Ree's mom made all the time when she was a kid?
Get Ree's Creamy Pasta Primavera recipe.
Spring Pea Tart
This tart looks and tastes super impressive, but uses quite a few shortcut ingredients to make life easier: frozen puff pastry, frozen peas, and herbed goat cheese.
Get Ree's Spring Pea Tart recipe.
Chicken Noodle Casserole
Classic, creamy, and comforting: This is what you picture when you think of a casserole. Frozen peas and carrots give it color and that serving of vegetables you need to round out the meal.
Get the Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe.
Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas
Talk about an easy, delicious side dish! In less than 15 minutes, you'll have crisp, fresh, and flavorful veggie that will please everyone at the dinner table.
Get the Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas recipe.
Tuna Pasta Salad
Be everyone's favorite at the cookout this year with this twist on the classic pasta salad. It's got lots more veggies that the original, but don't worry, peas are still one of the stars.
Get the Tuna Pasta Salad recipe.
Ravioli Primavera
Lots of veggies equal lots of flavor. And if you want to make this entirely vegetarian, skipped the ham and swap out the chicken broth for vegetable broth. Frozen ravioli make this a 30-minute meal, too!
Get Ree's Ravioli Primavera recipe.
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Set it and forget it! Come back a few hours later, and you've got a comforting meal without the effort. Sprinkle with a little chopped parsley to add freshness before serving.
Get the Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup.
Creamed Peas
If you're looking for an easy side dish for Easter or any given Sunday, try Ree's tried-and-true classic. Isn't everything better topped with crispy fried onions anyway?
Get Ree's Creamed Peas recipe.
Ham Casserole
Clear the fridge and pantry with this hearty casserole! It uses leftover ham, rice, peas and other veggies, and even crackers to top it for added crunch.
Get the Ham Casserole recipe.
Chicken Primavera
One-pot wonder alert! Peas are joined by carrots, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes to boost this chicken and pasta dish full of color and flavor. Top with fresh basil before serving.
Get the Chicken Primavera recipe.
Beef and Herbed Biscuit Pot Pie
Peas are an essential ingredient for any pot pie recipe, including this one! It features hearty shredded beef, lots of colorful peas and carrots, and a savory homemade biscuit topping.
Air Fryer Snap Peas
If you're having a snack attack, fight bite with this crispy recipe. It's super healthy and yet addictively delicious. The secret is a little sprinkle of parmesan!
Get Ree's Air Fryer Snap Peas recipe.
Pasta Primavera with Peas and Mint
One pot is all you need to bring the freshness of spring to the dinner table! You can also add other veggies besides snap peas if you want, like asparagus.
Get Ree's Pasta Primavera with Peas and Mint recipe.
Creamy Tortellini Soup
You'll have food on the table in a mere 15 minutes with this easy recipe! The secret is using frozen veggies and fresh cheese tortellini. It's a bowl of creamy comfort.
Get the Creamy Tortellini Soup recipe.
Pasta Carbonara
Ree calls this recipe "a bowl of pure joy." It also happens to be incredibly easy to make, especially if you're looking to throw together a meal with whatever you've got left in the house.
Get Ree's Pasta Carbonara recipe.
Shells and Cheese with Bacon and Peas
Not only does Ree give you a go-to shells and cheese recipe here, she upgrades it with crispy bacon and sweet peas. It's the perfect way to please everyone (and get the kids to eat some green stuff).
Get Ree's Shells and Cheese with Bacon and Peas recipe.
Turkey Tetrazzini
Sure, this is an excellent way to use up Thanksgiving turkey. But it's also a great casserole any time of year, because can sub in rotisserie chicken instead! Ree's secret is a little white wine to meld the flavors.
Get Ree's Turkey Tetrazzini recipe.
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