Christmas Eve Pasta(Penne With Peas And Red Bell Pepper)
Festive and flavorful, this penne pasta with peas and red bell pepper offers vibrant vegetables and creamy sauce, perfect for holiday gatherings and family dinners.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat a large frying pan.
- Add olive oil, garlic, onions, red bell pepper, and parsley; sauté until tender.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- In a small bowl, beat eggs with half and half; set aside.
- Place a colander in the sink and put the thawed peas in it.
- Cook the pasta in the boiling salted water until al dente; drain it into the colander over the peas to cook the peas sufficiently.
- Return the drained pasta and peas to the pot.
- Add the sautéed vegetables, basil, egg and half and half mixture, and Parmesan cheese.
- Toss everything together and serve immediately.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using garlic-infused olive oil in this recipe. If you don't have fresh parsley or basil, dried herbs can work in a pinch, but use them sparingly as they're more concentrated. You can also swap the penne with another pasta type, such as fusilli or farfalle. Adjust the amount of cheese to your taste, and feel free to add some red pepper flakes for a kick.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with a light arugula salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. A sprinkle of additional Parmesan on top adds a nice touch. For a festive twist, serve alongside Lemon Italian Cookies for dessert. This dish is also great as a side for holiday gatherings or potlucks, complementing other Italian recipes.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or additional half and half to prevent drying out, and warm in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also microwave it, covered, in short intervals, stirring in between.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Christmas Eve Pasta(Penne With Peas And Red Bell Pepper) contains roughly 1649 calories, with 66g protein, 223g carbohydrates, and 72g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (233% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2113mg per serving (92% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sautéed vegetables and pasta mixture ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge, then combine and add the egg mixture before serving. This way, you can enjoy a fresh and hot meal without the last-minute rush on Christmas Eve.
Can I use fresh peas instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh peas can be used instead of frozen for a sweeter flavor and better texture. Just blanch them for a minute or two in boiling water before adding them to the pasta to ensure they're tender and vibrant when mixed in.
Is this dish vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, this pasta dish is vegetarian-friendly, as it contains no meat. If you're looking to make it vegan, you can substitute the eggs and half and half with a plant-based alternative, such as silken tofu blended with almond milk, and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).