Frozen Peas Turn Out Better And More Flavorful When You Add 2 Italian Ingredients

Frozen peas are a versatile staple, but if you only dress them in butter and salt, you are missing out. Give boring peas a much-needed personality boost by adding pesto and parmesan cheese.

The earthy, nutty, and bright flavors of pesto add rich depth while a shower of freshly grated parmesan melts beautifully on top of the cooked frozen peas. Together, the herby condiment and sharp cheese create a flavorful, creamy sauce that will turn everyone into a vegetable lover. Using store-bought jarred pesto and prepackaged grated parmesan makes this simple sauce even easier for busy weeknight dinners.

Peas and pesto are a tried-and-true combination. Many warm and cold pasta dishes include peas and feature a pesto dressing because this herbal sauce plays well with green veggies like peas, edamame, and green beans. And since pesto made with peas is a lovely sauce, it makes sense that peas as a side dish are begging for a pesto-and-cheese upgrade.

This Italian twist on frozen peas also works for canned or fresh products. Steam, saute, or microwave them until heated through, then mix in a spoonful or two of pesto and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese. A twist of freshly ground black pepper is also a clever choice.

If you have lemons, a squirt of the citrus juice will brighten up your peas. Heat lovers will find red pepper flakes a worthy addition here, too. And, if you want even more creaminess, consider stirring in a spoonful of cottage cheese or ricotta.

To round out your peas, you can also top them with crispy prosciutto (to continue the Italian vibes) or crumbled bacon. These peas work well in almost any menu, Italian or not. They're just as tasty alongside chicken Milanese, grilled branzino, and veal scallopini as they are with pan-fried chicken thighs, beef stroganoff, or pork dumplings.