My sister relies on this incredibly cheap staple whenever groceries get too expensive. You only need 3 ingredients to make a surprisingly vibrant and
Variations & Tips
If you’re cooking for picky eaters, you can start with fewer peas and stir in just a small handful at first, then add more to the adult bowls at the table.
For a slightly lighter version, you can reduce the butter to 3/4 cup and add a splash of the starchy pasta water from the crock if you need a bit more moisture. When you’re not counting every penny, a handful of shredded cheddar or Parmesan stirred in at the end melts into the buttery sauce and makes it extra creamy.
You can also swap the elbow macaroni for any small pasta shape you have on hand, like shells or ditalini—just keep an eye on the cooking time, as some shapes soften a bit faster. To stretch the meal, stir in a drained can of white beans with the peas for extra protein, or top each bowl with a fried or soft-boiled egg if you’ve got them in the fridge.
A sprinkle of garlic powder, black pepper, or dried Italian herbs on individual servings is a nice way to dress it up without adding to the base ingredient list.
