Black-Eyed Pea Pasta (Printable Version)

Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring black-eyed peas, garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs with pasta.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz short pasta such as penne, fusilli, or farfalle

→ Legumes

02 - 1 can (14 oz) black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed, or 1.5 cups cooked black-eyed peas

→ Aromatics and Herbs

03 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
04 - 3 garlic cloves, finely sliced
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

→ Vegetables

09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 cup baby spinach leaves

→ Seasonings

11 - 0.5 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
12 - 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional

→ Garnish

14 - Zest and juice of 0.5 lemon
15 - 0.33 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve 0.25 cup of the cooking water.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and red onion, sautéing for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
03 - Stir in cherry tomatoes and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until just softened.
04 - Add black-eyed peas, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring to combine.
05 - Add cooked pasta and reserved cooking water to the skillet. Toss well to coat, then add spinach and cook for about 1 minute until just wilted.
06 - Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, and basil. Adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Divide among bowls and top with crumbled feta cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, which means you can make it on a weeknight without pretending you're a professional chef.
  • Black-eyed peas add protein and earthiness without requiring hours of planning or soaking.
  • The lemon and fresh herbs at the end lift everything so the dish feels bright instead of heavy.
02 -
  • Don't skip reserving that pasta water—it's the difference between a dry dish and one that feels naturally sauced and cohesive.
  • Adding the herbs and lemon at the very end keeps them tasting fresh and vibrant instead of cooked down into something muted.
03 -
  • Fresh basil and parsley added at the end make an enormous difference—if you only have dried herbs, use them in the cooking stage instead so they have time to rehydrate and open up.
  • The lemon zest matters as much as the juice, because it adds citrus oils and flavor without extra liquid that could make the dish soggy.
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