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Home » Recipes

Italian Peas and Ham Frozen Peas Recipe

Jan 17, 2023Last Modified: January 17, 2023

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about an Italian Peas and Ham Frozen Peas Recipe!

A gold rimmed bowl containing peas, ham, and onion with a gold stemmed spoon resting in the bowl.

If you are looking for easy ways to jazz up a bag of frozen peas, look no more you have come to the right place!

This easy recipe for this humble frozen vegetable is a great way to enjoy beautiful and gorgeous peas!

Jump to:
  • Give Peas A Chance
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions For This Frozen Peas Recipe
  • Suggestions For Serving
  • FAQ
  • Some Other Recipes You May Enjoy
  • Join Me On A Fun Food Journey!
  • Italian Peas and Ham Frozen Peas Recipe

Give Peas A Chance

Please pardon the pun. But...peas deserve pride of place at our dinner tables, especially when they are used in this frozen peas with ham recipe!

The Italian way of preparing this pea recipe is so very easy and utterly delicious. The sweet taste of the peas combined with the salty ham is beyond compare. Add a little cream to the mix and I promise you this dish is heavenly!

This vegetable side dish, using the ubiquitous frozen pea, is perfect for a casual weeknight dinner, or a special occasion.

A gold rimmed bowl containing peas, ham, and onion with a gold stemmed spoon resting in the bowl. Part of the picture is in shadow giving it a moody look.

Peas are also very nutritious! There are numerous health benefits to the humble pea, including protecting your eye and digestive health, as well as your immune system. WebMD has a great article called "Health Benefits of Peas" that you can reference for further details.

What's not to love about peas? And ham! Don't forget about the ham! 😊

So now I'll show you what you will need to make this favolosa (fabulous) Italian Peas and Ham recipe, using a bag of frozen peas!

🥘 Ingredients

A white bowl containing defrosted peas, a white bowl with chicken broth, various bowls containing ham, salt and pepper, olive oil, butter, cream, and garlic, and half an onion.

This recipe is inspired by and adapted from 365 Easy Italian Recipes by Rick O'Connell.

Here are the ingredients that you will need for this simple recipe:

  • Frozen peas
  • Butter
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Heavy cream
  • Chicken broth
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Ham (can sub chopped proscuitto or pancetta if you like)

I used petite peas for this pea recipe, but you can use regular green peas or sweet peas.

You should be able to find all of these ingredients at your local grocery store.

So now allow me to show you what I think is the best way to use frozen peas!

🔪 Instructions For This Frozen Peas Recipe

You'll begin by adding butter and olive oil to a large skillet set on medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and chopped onion. Sauté for around 2 minutes until the garlic and onion are softened.

Now add the ham and sauté for 2 minutes.

Melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic and onion in a cast iron skillet.
Soften the onion and garlic in melted butter and olive oil.
Sautéed garlic and onion and diced ham in a cast iron skillet.
Add the ham to the softened garlic and onion.

Increase the heat to medium high, and then add the peas and the chicken broth. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be sure to admire the beautiful vibrant color of the peas!

Peas, diced ham, onion, and chicken broth in a cast iron skillet.
Add the peas to the other sautéed ingredients. Look at the vibrant color of the peas!

Lower the heat back to a low simmer, and now add the cream, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. If you feel the dish is too dry, add a little more cream or chicken stock as you like. Taste, and adjust for seasoning by adding an additional pinch of salt and pepper if desired.

Peas, diced ham, onion, and cream in a cast iron skillet. There is salt and pepper sprinkled on top.
Add cream, salt, and pepper.
Peas, diced ham, onion, and cream in a cast iron skillet.
Cook for 5 minutes at a low simmer.

And that is it! Your dish is ready to serve!

Suggestions For Serving

Truth be told, I'd be happy to just eat an entire bowl of this dish. However, it is the PERFECT side dish to accompany so many of your favorite main meals.

A gold rimmed bowl containing peas, ham, and onion with a gold stemmed spoon resting in the bowl.

This dish is so awesome as a side dish paired with main dishes such as Veal Parmigiana or Chicken Scallopini.

However you decide to serve it, I know your family will love this wonderful Italian Peas and Ham!

FAQ

Do you need to thaw frozen peas before cooking?

You actually don't need to thaw frozen peas before cooking with them! How easy is that! I typically take out my frozen peas and leave them on the counter while I am prepping the dish. However, you can defrost them if you choose to.

How can I store any leftover Italian Peas and Ham?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator. This is best consumed within 4 days.

What type of peas are frozen peas?

The peas you typically find in the frozen section of your grocery store are English peas.

Can I use fresh peas with this recipe?

Absolutely yes! I've used frozen peas as they are typically easier to come by than fresh peas but fresh green peas would work a treat!

Some Other Recipes You May Enjoy

Here are some other recipes for side dishes that you may enjoy:

  • Italian Broccoli Recipe With Garlic and Lemon
  • Easy and Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Incredibly Moreish Cajun Smothered Cabbage

Join Me On A Fun Food Journey!

If you'd like to come along on this food journey with me, please sign up to get the latest recipes and inspiration for you to expand your food comfort zone! It's an incredible journey, please join me by signing up here.

Buon Appetito!

Grace

A gold rimmed bowl containing peas, ham, and onion with a gold stemmed spoon resting in the bowl. Part of the picture is in shadow giving it a moody look.

Italian Peas and Ham Frozen Peas Recipe

Grace inspired by and adapted from 365 Easy Italian Recipes by Rick O'Connell
You'll be craving this mouthwatering Easy Peasy Italian Peas and Ham dish time and time again! Tender peas cooked with a bit of cream is over the top delicious!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 11 mins
Total Time 16 mins
Course accompaniment, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 207 kcal

Equipment

  • Skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb peas select a 1 lb bag of frozen peas and you can defrost them before using but it's not necessary
  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ onion chopped
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ¼ ts salt
  • ¼ ts pepper
  • ½ cup ham diced (can sub chopped prosciutto or pancetta)

Instructions
 

  • Add the butter and olive oil to a skillet set on medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and onion. Sauté for around 2 minutes until the garlic and onion are softened.
  • Now add the ham and sauté for 2 minutes.
  • Increase the heat to medium high, and then add the peas and the chicken broth. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Lower the heat back to a low simmer, and now add the cream, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. If you feel the dish is too dry, add a little more cream or chicken stock as you like. Taste, and adjust for seasoning by adding an additional pinch of salt and pepper if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 207kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 9gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 469mgPotassium: 362mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 11008IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 66mgIron: 2mg
Keyword ham, peas
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About Me

Hi I’m Grace! I'm married and a mom to my fur baby, Toby, and food and travel are two of my greatest passions! Since our bank account does not allow us to travel or eat out as much as we'd like, I decided I would cook delicious meals that could give us a taste of all the places we'd like to go. My goal is to get you in the kitchen, and inspire you to cook and taste delightful meals that will transport you too. Let’s throw some actual travel in from time to time, all with an emphasis on keeping your wallet full and happy as well. Let’s get cooking and let’s start exploring!! I'm excited to be on this journey with you!!

By the way most of these recipes are Toby taste tested and Toby approved!!

Chief Taste Tester Toby

Toby Chief Taste Tester

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