Sweet Pea Tomato Basil Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Simple tomato-basil pasta with a touch of honey and sweet peas—colorful, naturally sweet, and perfect for little ones. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs fusilli pasta, crushed tomatoes, fresh basil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

★ 4.2 (13 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 380 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water (1 tbsp salt per 4 quarts) to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz fusilli pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1/2 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 cup crushed tomatoes and 1/4 cup frozen peas, and cook for 5 minutes until peas are tender and sauce has reduced slightly.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh basil, 1 tbsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes until fragrant and honey is fully dissolved.
  4. Step 4: Add the drained fusilli to the saucepan and toss for 1-2 minutes until evenly coated. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately while warm, with extra Parmesan on the side for dipping.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sweet Pea Tomato Basil 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 Sweet Pea Tomato Basil 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 Sweet Pea Tomato Basil 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 Sweet Pea Tomato Basil 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 Sweet Pea Tomato Basil 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

Related recipes