Picky-Eater's Sausage & Pea Pasta
A comforting pasta dish with sweet Italian sausage and tender peas, gently cooked to keep the peas bright and appealing for little ones. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs fusilli pasta, casings removed sweet Italian sausage, frozen peas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz fusilli pasta
- 1/2 lb, casings removed sweet Italian sausage
- 1 cup, frozen peas
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water (1 tbsp salt per 4 quarts) to a boil. Add 8 oz fusilli pasta and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 lb crumbled sweet Italian sausage and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in 1 cup frozen peas and 1/4 cup chicken broth. Simmer for 3 minutes until peas are tender and broth has reduced slightly.
- Step 4: Add the drained fusilli to the skillet, tossing to coat with the sausage and pea mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Picky-Eater's Sausage & Pea Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Picky-Eater's Sausage & Pea Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fusilli pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Picky-Eater's Sausage & Pea Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Picky-Eater's Sausage & Pea Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Picky-Eater's Sausage & Pea Pasta?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
