20 Easy-Peasy Recipes To Make With Frozen Peas

If there's one vegetable I make sure I have at all times, it's frozen peas. They're affordable, ready in a flash, keep for months, and fit into dozens of dishes from cuisines the world over. They're picked and frozen right at their peak, so they're always tender, sweet, and springy. Try them in one of these 20 recipes for a splash of color and veggie power in your weeknight cooking.

Skillet Chicken and Rice

The trusty "throw some peas in right before serving" maneuver transforms this dish from monochrome chicken and rice to an appetizing dinner that pops. It's a pantry-friendly, one-pot meal the whole gang will embrace.

Green Goddess Pasta Salad

This herb-flecked, upbeat green pasta salad is great to make for potlucks or for eating on all week long for lunches or dinner sides.

Pea Pesto

No cooking and no fresh produce is required for this cheerful and flavor-packed pesto. It's great on toast or pasta—just let a cup of peas thaw on the counter and you're off to the races.

Creamy Cavatappi

Senior Editor Laurel Randolph says, "For the creamiest possible sauce, add the Parmesan a little at a time, letting each handful melt before adding more."

Simple Peas and Onions

Ever had one of those "oh, snap!" moments when you realize your produce drawer is virtually empty? Frozen peas to the rescue! There's barely a meaty main that doesn't go with good old peas and onions.

Shrimp Fried Rice

If you stash frozen shrimp in your freezer as well as peas, you've got the makings of this fast supper. Use up that container of leftover takeout rice and create a nearly instant meal.

Cauliflower Curry

Yogurt and turmeric are the keys to the light sauce that envelops this vegetarian Indian-style curry. It's a flexible fridge-cleanout type of recipe, so swap or omit ingredients as needed.

5-Minute Cabbage Slaw

Contributor Coco Morante says, "I don’t think this slaw needs anything extra, but you could add some raisins or chopped dried apricots for more sweetness and texture contrast. Or, to pack the dish with more protein, stir in some shredded rotisserie chicken to make it into a hearty lunch all on its own."

Chicken Vesuvio

An Italian-American restaurant favorite hailing from Chicago, Chicken Vesuvio features browned, bone-in chicken that's cooked with lemon-kissed white wine and potatoes for an all-in-one meal that delivers for special occasions. If you prefer the peas to stay brighter, add them later during cooking.

Cold Pea Salad

Retro charm abounds in this salad, which has the crunch of smoked almonds and water chestnuts. It's a great back-pocket recipe for times when you need to bring a fun, fresh veggie side to a gathering.

Matar Paneer

Contributor Karishma Pradhan says, "Don't rush simmering the tomato sauce. If you find that it's too liquidy, continue to simmer until it reaches the desired consistency."

Curried Ground Turkey With Potatoes

You'll have a meal in 40 minutes and plenty of leftovers with this simple recipe that's loosely based on the Indian dish aloo keema. Use any ground meat you have in the fridge—beef, chicken, or plant-based grounds all work.

Easy Shepherd's Pie

One of our most popular recipes, this shepherd's pie has been the star of the dinner table for thousands of hungry households all over the world.

Spring Vegetable Salad With Peas and Asparagus

Sweet sugar snap peas, radish slivers, mint leaves, toasted almonds, and a simple creamy dressing make this salad a showstopper in any season. The green peas dot it like confetti.

Risi e Bisi

Hailing from Venice, this Italian comfort food classic leans on risotto rice, chicken stock, and peas (the name literally means "rice and peas"). It comes together easier than you'd guess.

Spring Minestrone Soup

Asparagus and peas give this minestrone soup a more seasonal vibe. Make a pot for a day when you need some warming comfort in the midst of unpredictable spring weather.

Pasta With Ham and Peas

Here's a go-to for times when you have leftover ham. A little cream and Parmesan add some richness. This recipe calls for fusilli, but other pasta shapes like penne, cavatappi, or even good old macaroni will all shine here.

Fresh Green Pea Soup

A bag of frozen green peas forms the base for this smooth soup that's enriched with cream and has a whisper of mint. It comes together in a flash, which is certainly not the case for its dried split pea counterpart. Serve it warm or, on hot days, chilled.

Creamy Pasta With Salmon and Rice

Use frozen salmon fillets or leftover salmon to make a pasta dish that's a little off the beaten path but still crowd-pleasing. Milk makes the base for the creamy white sauce, and a sprinkling of Parm makes it extra delicious.

Basmati Rice Salad with Peas, Mint, and Lemon

Founder Elise Bauer says, "Don't like raisins? Use currants, chopped dried apricots, or leave them out entirely."