Name: Wagon Wheel Pasta and Peas
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 large 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes (or use 12 fresh ripe plum tomatoes crushed in the food processor which we used primarily in season); 1 can of tomato paste fill the can with white wine, chicken broth or water to remove all of the paste in the can; 2 tablespoons Italian flat-leaf fresh parsley chopped; 1 bay leaf (remove when the sauce is completed cooking); salt and pepper to taste; 1 tablespoon of granulated garlic powder; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil; 3 cloves minced garlic; 3 or 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; Use 1/2 the box of (16-ounce box) Wagon Wheels or another pasta you prefer cooked to al denti to package instructions and drained; Garnish: Pecorino Romano Cheese when served on top and red pepper flakes which are optional

Wagon Wheel Pasta and Peas is an easy, hearty dinner to make for the whole family and very economical.

This is a delicious homemade tomato sauce rich in flavor and easy to make.

The pot simmers quickly with a fresh tomato sauce with just the right spice, garlic, to make a delicious fresh tasting sauce with peas or even another bean you prefer.

This meal has very fond memories that remind me of my grandmother who always liked to add a fun-shaped pasta for us children when we were very young.

Just cook your favorite pasta to go along with the sauce like ditalini, baby shells, or another small macaroni you prefer we just happened to love wagon wheel pasta.

If you have meat lovers you can add cooked sausage, or sliced pepperoni, we have some suggestions below for a delicious one-pan meal.

You may also like our economical 15 Easy Pasta Recipe Roundup or our 15 One-Pan Favorite Meals recipes.

Scroll down to get this easily printable recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Easy Weeknight Meals

This meal is super easy to make and you can even use store-bought ingredients in a hurry to substitute when making this one-pan vintage recipe.

The meal can also have added cooked meats to it for a heartier meal like ground beef, pork, or Italian sausage.

Also if you prefer not to use any alcohol in this recipe, chicken broth is a great substitution.

this is a pasta and tomato sauce with peas

Other Substitutions and Sauce Additions

any kind of pasta you like can be used
any other vegetables to substitute, sauteed mushrooms, spinach, escarole, onions, eggplant, zucchini slices
roasted red, bell peppers, or hot peppers
meatballs, sliced cooked steak, pork or lamb, prosciutto, or capicola instead of sausage
shrimp or another seafood you like
always sauteed the meats using first to make sure they are flavored with garlic before adding them to the sauce

Pasta Suggestions

ditalini
baby bowties
mostaccioli
fusilli
baby seashells
elbows

Ingredients You Will Need(for exact measurements scroll down to the recipe card)

pasta of your choice cooked to package instructions
fresh tomatoes, your favorite homemade sauce, or a favorite marinara store-bought jarred
peas
granulated garlic
fresh basil
white wine. water or chicken broth
salt, pepper
Pecorino Romano cheese
fresh parsley
olive oil
Optional Garnish: red pepper flakes and more Pecorino Romano cheese, Italian sausage or another meat you prefer (boneless chicken, pork, ground sirloin)

Tips

cook any kind of pasta you like to package instructions
to save time use a jarred marinara sauce
add cooked Italian sausage, small cooked meatballs, or pepperoni to the sauce
to save time, air fry the sausage then slice it
use a medley of vegetables and omit the meat for vegetarian
add zucchini and peppers for a change of flavors in the sauce
for a healthier version use turkey sausage, wheat, or a low carb pasta of your choice
cook the peas for around 15 to 20 minutes so they don't shrivel up in the sauce last
always use Pecorino Romano freshly grated for best results in a pinch use the jarred kind
this dish tastes great topped with shredded melted mozzarella for a bit of a twist
substitute chicken broth for the wine for a non-alcohol dish

Pin for Later

More Recipes We Love

Mom's Homemade Italian Sausage Recipe

Pasta and Broccoli Aioli

Homemade Orecchiette

Comfort Food

This dish back in the 1960s was a staple in our homes during a time when money was tight and grandma and mom would make it often changing it up by adding leftover meats or other vegetables from weeknight meals.

The meal will feed a large family economically and is very simple to make, and is fun for the kids to eat with our favorite shaped pasta.

If you love vintage recipes this is a great recipe to add to your collection.