47 Recipes That Start With a Bag of Frozen Peas
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.
Herby Pea and Lemon Pasta Salad
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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Green Pea and Asparagus Soup with Poached Eggs and Toast
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
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Pea, Tomato, and Bacon Gnocchi
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Make This Feta and Pea Tendril Omelet and Seize the Season Recipe
Vibrant, crisp seasonal greens breathe new life into a classic French omelet. Jeanine Donofrio, author of The Love & Lemons Cookbook, guarantees a bright start to any spring day with eggs, avocado, feta, peas, and pea tendrils. Delicate pea tendrils, also known as pea shoots, aren’t usually sold at grocery stores. Look for them at farmers’ markets at the beginning of spring or grow them at home; shoots require little sunshine or space. A finishing touch of chili flakes adds a wake-up punch.
Feta and Pea Tendril Omelet
Reprinted from The Love & Lemons Cookbook by arrangement with Avery Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company.
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Indian-Spiced Pea Fritters
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Spring Pea Salad with Creamy Curry Dressing
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
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
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
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
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
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
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Lemon Risotto with Peas, Tarragon, and Leeks
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
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
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
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Herb Barley Risotto with Peas and Arugula
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Spring Pea and Bean Salad with Shaved Pecorino Cheese
Spring Pea and Bean Salad with Shaved Pecorino Cheese Recipe
Make this wonderful light salad with a mixture of almost any pea or shell bean, including favas, butter beans, or field peas. Prep: 10 minutes; Cook: 15 minutes.
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Lemon-Tarragon Pea Salad
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Orecchiette with Cress and Spring Pea Sauce
Orecchiette with Cress and Spring Pea Sauce Recipe
The fresh, vibrant flavors of sweet peas and peppery cress meld beautifully in this simple pasta dish. If you can't find orecchiette, small shell pasta is a good substitute.
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Habitant Pea Soup
Habitant refers to people who live in rural Québec, where this hearty soup is a popular staple.
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Pita Bread and Pea Salad
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Chilled Pesto-Pea Soup
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Mint-and-Pea Hummus on Flatbread
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Ginger-Miso Sweet Pea Spread
Ginger-Miso Sweet Pea Spread Recipe
As a dairy-free alternative to creamy dips, the recipe here calls for pureeing sweet peas with scallions, ginger and jalapeño, then seasoning the mix with yellow miso. Serve the spread with different kinds of crackers and breads or sugar snap peas and celery for dipping.
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Shrimp and Pea Rice Bowl
Shrimp and Pea Rice Bowl Recipe
Serve with Wheat Rolls with Orange Butter.
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Green Goodness Dip
This dip is a riff on the classic green goddess dressing. It's made thicker with a base of pureed peas enriched with Greek yogurt and creamy avocado.
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Pasta Primavera with Peas, Prosciutto, and Asparagus
Pasta Primavera with Peas, Prosciutto, and Asparagus Recipe
"Pasta primavera" refers to any dish with pasta and vegetables, but don't make just any pasta primavera. This gorgeous, 15-minute version incorporates fresh peas, aspargus, and grape tomatoes requiring little prep. Top with fresh basil and proscuitto just before serving for a show-stopping meal with minimal effort.
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Low-Fat Mac and Cheese with Peas
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Tortellini Salad with Salmon and Peas
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Bruschetta with Minted Pea Puree
Bruschetta with Minted Pea Puree Recipe
Brushetta with Minted Pea Puree starts with crispy slices of French baguette and are topped with a pea puree that includes mint, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese.