47 Recipes That Start With a Bag of Frozen Peas

February 04, 2019
Even if they aren't in season, peas are an easy way to incorporate greens into a dish year-round. From pasta to hummus, here are 47 reasons the versatile veggie deserves a permanent spot in your freezer. 
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Herby Pea and Lemon Pasta Salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Catherine Crowell Steele; Prop Styling: Thom Driver
Herby Pea and Lemon Pasta Salad Recipe

This verdant pasta salad signals a fantastic start to spring with a shower of fresh herbs. Mini shell pasta and peas are a perfect pair—the pasta serves as a kind of catcher’s mitt for the sweet, bright green peas. You could also use orecchiette, an ear-shaped pasta that serves the same purpose. Skip the chicken and add 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese for a vegetarian main, or try 2 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon for meat lovers. If you have a nut allergy but still want some crunch, try toasted coarse breadcrumbs or sunflower seed kernels.

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Skillet Chicken Thighs with Spring Vegetables and Shallot Vinaigrette

Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Kashara Johnson; Food Styling: Anna Hampton
Skillet Chicken Thighs with Spring Vegetables and Shallot Vinaigrette Recipe

This elegant single-skillet meal for two is deceptively easy to make. Ready in under an hour, this skillet chicken dinner includes your protein (perfectly golden-crisp chicken thighs), green veggies (peas and asparagus), a starch (baby Yukon gold potatoes), and a whole lot of vibrant flavor (hello, shallot vinaigrette). A great recipe for anyone cooking for one or two, this easy weeknight chicken dinner is one you’re sure to come back to again and again. 

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Pasta with Shaved Asparagus and Pea Pesto

Jennifer Causey
Pasta with Shaved Asparagus and Pea Pesto Recipe

Thick asparagus stalks are best for this dish because they’re easier to shave. The trick to this recipe? We cook the pasta in as little water as possible so the resulting pasta water becomes viscous with starch. Adding a little of the water to the sauce makes it extra creamy and helps it cling to the noodles. Pine nuts can be expensive—a good budget substitute is unsalted sunflower seed kernels.

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Chicken Alfredo Soup

Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling: Adam Dolge; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Chicken Alfredo Soup Recipe

Inspired by the favorite pasta dish, this creamy Chicken Alfredo Soup comes together in no time with the help of a few store-bought shortcuts. Rotisserie chicken, frozen peas, and a jar of Alfredo sauce, which serves as the backbone of this highly comforting pot of soup, keep your hands-on prep to a minimum. This convenience factor, coupled with the fact that it’s is a guaranteed kid-pleasing recipe, makes this soup a perfect go-to for hectic weeknights. While it is undeniably luscious and satisfying, the soup is surprisingly not overly heavy or right. We used Gia Russa brand sauce, but feel free to use your own favorite. Served with a crusty bread, a green salad, and a glass of white wine, this quick and easy soup makes for an outstanding dinner on chilly nights.  

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Spring Vegetable Bread Pudding Muffins

Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Mark Driskill
Spring Vegetable Bread Pudding Muffins Recipe

These individual savory bread puddings are an amazing addition to any spring brunch menu. Bread pudding’s rich, comfort food quality is balanced here with vibrant spring flavors contributed by fresh mint, fresh dill, green peas, and baby spinach. We love the savory-salty goodness that pancetta delivers to this delicious side dish, but if you would prefer to keep these bread pudding muffins vegetarian-friendly, you can leave this ingredient out and cook the spinach and peas in olive oil. Preparing the bread pudding in muffin tins allows for easily-served individual portions, as well as loads of potential for creating a really pretty display. You can prepare these bread pudding muffins up to a day in advance—simply keep the muffins in the pan and wrap the pan in plastic wrap once it’s completely cool. Store them in the fridge until you’re ready to reheat and serve. 

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Easy Split Pea Soup

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas  
Easy Split Pea Soup Recipe

Miso paste enriches this soup with a deep, savory flavor and enhances the creamy texture of the peas. We think it's a must, but you can use an extra 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt instead.

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Roasted Salmon with Pea Puree

Photo: Helen Dujardin; Styling: Mindi Shapiro-Levine
Roasted Salmon with Pea Puree Recipe

Serve this delicious and fresh Pea Puree over Roasted Salmon for an impressive fish dinner.

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Green Pea and Parsley Hummus

Photo: Jennifer Causey
Green Pea and Parsley Hummus Recipe

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Green Pea and Asparagus Soup with Poached Eggs and Toast

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
Green Pea and Asparagus Soup with Poached Eggs and Toast Recipe

Light, lovely, and lush, this egg-topped soup is all you need for a well-rounded spring supper.

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Cod with Herbed Pea Relish

Photo: Jennifer Causey
Cod with Herbed Pea Relish Recipe

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Pea, Tomato, and Bacon Gnocchi

Photo: Jennifer Causey
Pea, Tomato, and Bacon Gnocchi Recipe

Sweet peas, salty bacon, and slightly acidic tomatoes complete this colorful skillet main. Chop the bacon first, as we do, or cook whole slices until crisp, remove from the pan, and crumble. The frozen green peas cook instantly, keep well, and add a fresh, springy note to this cozy, savory dish.

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Sweet Pea and Avocado Dip with Baked Pita Chips

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
Sweet Pea and Avocado Dip with Baked Pita Chips Recipe

Incorporating green peas into this tasty summer snack not only reduces the amount of fat but also adds sweetness and further brightens the green color.

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Pea Pappardelle Pasta

Pea Pappardelle Pasta Recipe

Sugar snaps, green peas, and pea shoots enrich this dish with sweet flavor and a bounty of pleasing textures. Look for pea shoots at your local farmers market or Asian market, or substitute watercress.

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All the Green Things Salad

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
All the Green Things Salad Recipe

This salad is absolutely chock-full of lovely green spring produce, with textures ranging from crunchy to creamy. You can make the zippy lemon dressing and blanch, drain, and chill the peas and asparagus up to 2 days ahead, but combine all the elements shortly before serving to preserve the color of the avocado and the crunch of the greens. Delicate pea tendrils or shoots would be spectacular here, but watercress makes a delicious peppery substitute. Though you may be tempted to use only one herb, we urge you to use both: The parsley adds a burst of freshness, and the mint contributes deep herbal goodness.

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Chicken Potpie Skillet Pizza

Photo: Greg DuPree; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Chicken Potpie Skillet Pizza Recipe

Try this quick, playful spin to turn pizza night on its head—in a good way. You get all the creamy goodness of chicken potpie, in a fun, eat-with-your-hands way that kids will love. Grown-ups will dig it, too, especially if you offer hot sauce at the table. Cooking the pizza in a preheated cast-iron skillet makes the crust wonderfully crispy so that it doesn’t sog out when the creamy sauce goes on. Be sure to use only 10 ounces of dough (though you’ll likely have to purchase in a 1-pound or larger ball); save the remaining dough to make breadsticks the next night.

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Edamame, Okra, and Green Pea Korma

Jennifer Causey
Edamame, Okra, and Green Pea Korma Recipe

Slowly softening the onion and garlic is key to a silky, creamy blended sauce. If you have Madras curry powder, use it for slightly more heat and richer flavor; standard curry powder will also be great.

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Split Pea Mini Pancakes with Mushroom Relish

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
Split Pea Mini Pancakes with Mushroom Relish Recipe

Garnish these festive bites with cilantro. They're best served hot but are also good at room temperature.

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Pea and Wasabi Dip

Pea and Wasabi Dip Recipe

This blend is a zippy alternative to hummus; serve with crudités or crackers. Sweet green peas offset the kicky heat of wasabi (which you'll find on the Asian foods aisle).

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Make This Feta and Pea Tendril Omelet and Seize the Season

Photo by Jack Mathews
Make This Feta and Pea Tendril Omelet and Seize the Season Recipe
Love & Lemons blogger Jeanine Donofrio celebrates spring vegetables with a light, bright breakfast

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Indian-Spiced Pea Fritters

Photo: Jennifer Causey
Indian-Spiced Pea Fritters Recipe

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Spring Pea Salad with Creamy Curry Dressing

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower/Claire Spollen
Spring Pea Salad with Creamy Curry Dressing Recipe

Wonderful flavor comes from Madras curry powder--it's bold but not too heavy. If you can only find regular curry powder, start with half the amount we call for.

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Sweet Pea Crostini with Ricotta

Photo: Brain Woodcock; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Sweet Pea Crostini with Ricotta Recipe

Impress your company with this easy-to-prepare appetizer. Making your own ricotta is incredibly simple and doesn't require special equipment. Our microwave trick is foolproof. The pea mixture is quick and easy to make, but you can also mix it up ahead, along with toasting the bread, so that you can simply assemble the crostini when you are ready to serve your guests.

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White Cheddar and Bacon Risotto

Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Thom Driver.
White Cheddar and Bacon Risotto Recipe

With a flavor reminiscent of loaded potatoes, kids are bound to love this risotto. Frozen peas cook in just two minutes and add a sweet, fresh pop to the dish.

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Pan-Seared Tilapia with Sweet Pea Puree

Photo: Jennifer Causey Styling: Lindsey Lower
Pan-Seared Tilapia with Sweet Pea Puree Recipe

This lightly sweet, herby puree radiates with spring flavor and color.

 

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Shrimp and Peas with Farfalle

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Shrimp and Peas with Farfalle Recipe

Lemony breadcrumbs add a delightful crunch to this dish.

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Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole with Peas and Breadcrumbs

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole with Peas and Breadcrumbs Recipe

We love the old-school feel of this skillet supper. If you can't find whole-wheat panko, sauté fresh whole-wheat crumbs until crisp.

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Pasta with Pea Puree

Photo: Jennifer Causey
Pasta with Pea Puree Recipe
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Lemon Risotto with Peas, Tarragon, and Leeks

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
Lemon Risotto with Peas, Tarragon, and Leeks Recipe
Pair this pleasantly tart side-dish risotto with roasted salmon or halibut. Garnish with long strips of lemon rind and fresh tarragon sprigs, if desired.

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Open-Faced Chicken Sandwiches with Green Pea Spread and Parmesan

Photo: Jason Wallis; Styling: Cindy Barr 
Open-Faced Chicken Sandwiches with Green Pea Spread and Parmesan Recipe
Frozen peas and arugula offer a little taste of spring with each bite of these Open-Faced Chicken Sandwiches with Green Pea Spread and Parmesan.

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Orzo with Tarragon and Peas

Photo: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr
Orzo with Tarragon and Peas Recipe
Frozen peas, minced tarragon, and fresh lemon juice are tossed with orzo for a speedy side of Orzo with Tarragon and Peas .
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Smoky Pea Soup

Photo: Susie Cushner
Smoky Pea Soup Recipe

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