Simple Butter and Parmesan Fusilli with Peas
A quick and fuss-free fusilli pasta tossed with butter, sweet peas, and Parmesan cheese — a perfect mild and kid-friendly dish. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 17 minutes pairs fusilli pasta, unsalted butter, frozen peas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 5, 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
- 12 oz fusilli pasta
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 12 oz fusilli pasta. Cook for 9-10 minutes until al dente. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add 1 cup frozen peas to the boiling pasta water. Drain pasta and peas together.
- Step 2: Return the drained pasta and peas to the pot, then add 4 tbsp unsalted butter. Stir over low heat for 1-2 minutes until the butter melts and coats the pasta.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley until evenly combined.
- Step 4: Serve warm as a simple, kid-friendly meal or side dish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simple Butter and Parmesan Fusilli with Peas take to make?
Total time is about 17 minutes (5 min prep + 12 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 Simple Butter and Parmesan Fusilli with Peas?
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 Simple Butter and Parmesan Fusilli with Peas?
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 Simple Butter and Parmesan Fusilli with Peas for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 5 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 5). 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 Simple Butter and Parmesan Fusilli with Peas?
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.
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