Parmesan Pea Pasta Salad might be the easiest cold pasta salad recipe in the world! Takes just 15 minutes to make and contains only 4 ingredients. Easy, fast, simple, and perfect for any cookout or party.
Yes, my clean eating diet/lifestyle is still on, BUT it's always off whenever pasta is around...and ice cream...although that's another story for another day. It's really so hard for me to say no to pasta. I mean, I say no but it doesn't listen. It just gets right up in my plate and begs me to eat it. Ruuuuude!
Then there's the issue of how I feel like cheese needs to be involved whenever I eat pasta. Seriously, if there's two food ingredients that are destined to be BFFs for life, it's pasta and cheese. Doesn't matter if the pasta is cold or hot either, it needs to be with some cheese. Forever and always.
A few weeks ago, the fine folks at Divella sent me a few varieties of dried pasta to taste and the one that stood out to me immediately was the bag of Mista. Mista is all these cute little pasta pieces of different shapes and sizes mixed together and I just knew it was destined for a cold salad...with cheese.
Now, if you don't know about Divella pasta, you should. It's the real deal. Straight from Italy and they use only the best, all-natural ingredients. Plus, they've been around for 125 years so they must know what they are doing.
How to make a cold pasta salad
Start with some great pasta, some fresh veggies, and a simple, yet flavorful dressing. I began my easy pasta salad with the farm fresh peas I picked up today. Fresh New England peas are the best thing you will ever pop in your month. They are small, tender, and oh so sweet. I try to use them in as many recipes as possible while they are in season because before you know it, POOF!...they are gone. Carpe diem my friends 😉
Anywho, I played around with oil-based dressings but eventually settled on good ol' mayonnaise. The creaminess of the mayo and the rich flavor of the Parmesan cheese pair well with the pasta and peas for a delicious cold pasta salad. It's a match made in food heaven and one that I could sit down and eat enough for 10 people. I have no self control when it comes to creamy pasta salad, but then again, who does??
Whether you're camping, at a BBQ cookout, or just need a simple and delicious side dish for a family dinner, reach for this Parmesan Pea Pasta Salad. It's the perfect vegetarian pasta recipe too!
RECIPE
Parmesan Pea Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound bite-size pasta
- 1 cup green peas, fresh or frozen
- 1 ½ cups good quality mayonnaise , homemade or store bought
- â…” cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese (use a good quality cheese and grate it fresh)
Instructions
- Boil pasta according to package directions using salted water and until the pasta is al dente. The last 5 minutes of the pasta's cooking time, throw in the green peas. When finished cooking, drain and let cool.
- Place the cooled pasta and peas in a large bowl, add the mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese. Mix until thoroughly combined, cover, and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve
Debbie
I loaded this salad up with toasted finely, minced, garlic infused with truffle oil, paprika, and sea salt with chives. It was the best ever!!!!! YUMMM Great recipe. Thank you.
Tiffany Littleton
Hi! I googled Italian pasta salad to see if my pasta and pea creation came up and this did! My aunt was half Sicilian, and she loved pasta and peas, I came up with the salad recipe, due to the Italian pasta salad mix in the box and the fact I am tired of the Soulfood pasta salad everyone makes. Mine is peas, red onion red pepper flakes garlic powder salt parmesan cheese, ( sometimes I sauté the garlic and onions) I use a splash of vinegar and good mayonnaise.
Karrie
Hi Tiffany, Thank you for taking the time to comment and can't wait to try your Italian version of the recipe!
Bonita Vasquez
Can you use avocado mayo ?? With this salad.? My granddaughter is allergic to corn we try really hard to eliminate corn from her diet and all of its derivatives. It's hard she is only 8 years old. She likes peas an pastas I'm not a very good cook I have tried making her homemade mayonnaise and it was not good and she doesn't like it. We found Avocado mayonnaise that she likes and it's limited on the corn ingredients in it. Please advise struggling grandma!!
Karrie
Hi Bonita, Yes you can use avocado mayonnaise in this recipe! Avocado mayo is wonderful to use in any recipe that calls for regular mayo. I use it all the time and make my own at home because it's made with minimum ingredients and it's way less expensive. All I do is take an immersion blender and add 1 whole egg with a little lemon juice and salt, then I slowly add 1 cup of avocado oil while blending. It will last for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator in a tightly covered container. This pea pasta recipe is super easy to put together and please let me know how you and your granddaughter like it. Also, please feel free to contact me any time if you have questions about cooking in general 🙂
Anisa
I had a home made recipe just like this one but I add white onions 🧅 chopped in bite size when chilled. Never added parm cheese (duh) but I did this time:) it’s chilling as we speak for thanksgiving.
Rachel
Hi! Can this be made a day ahead?
Karrie
Yes it can!
Kat
Loved this! Very easy to make and was perfect side to skirt steak!
Karrie
Thank you so much Kat! Skirt steak sounds wonderful and I'll have to make that this weekend with this salad!
David C
I rarely comment on recipes, but this pasta turned out so delicious I feel compelled to do so. I was hesitant at first about the mayo, but no more. This pasta is super easy and quick to prepare and it tastes insanely delicious. I added plenty of salt and freshly ground black pepper plus a couple of crushed/dried red chili peppers into it because I love well-seasoned food and some heat, but the recipe is perfectly fine as written. I'll definitely make this again.
Karrie
Thank you so much for your kind review David and sooooo happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Sheri Krause
Luved this recipe, I added onions, celery, cheese and black cracked peeper. DELISH So refreshing!
Karrie
Thanks so much Sheri!