--- title: "Meatless Friday: Macaroni and Peas" description: Tiffany Walsh shares a Meatless Friday recipe that was a staple during her childhood. Print our free recipe card and try this with your family. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20230331%20TWalsh%201.jpg ---                                           [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/meatless-friday-macaroni-and-peas#) [MEATLESS FRIDAY](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/meatless-friday) # Meatless Friday: Macaroni and Peas Mar 31, 2023 7:00:00 AM  |  by [Tiffany Walsh](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/tiffany-walsh) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20230331%20TWalsh%201.jpg) *Tiffany Walsh shares a Meatless Friday recipe that was a staple during her childhood. Print our free recipe card and try this with your family.* --- When my sisters and I were growing up, Macaroni and Peas was a Meatless Friday staple for our family. My Italian mom’s red sauce cannot be duplicated, but I do my best! Over time, I have created a structure from her more free form plan and lack of measurements, because those of us with less experience definitely need structure! There are lots of ways to switch things up in this recipe and customize it into your own new favorite, and I made a few suggestions, but the possibilities are endless!   #### Macaroni and Peas  ##### INGREDIENTS:   1-2 tbsp. olive oil  ½ small onion, finely chopped  1 clove garlic  ¼ green bell pepper, chopped (optional)  1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste  1 can (28 oz.) tomato puree  Just over 4 cups of water (34 oz.)  2 tsp. salt  ½ tsp. black pepper  ½-1 tbsp. oregano  ½-1 tbsp. parsley  ½-1 tbsp. basil  1 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)  3 tbsp. grated Romano cheese (can substitute grated Parmesan cheese), and extra to sprinkle on top of finished dish.  1 can (15 oz.) peas (drained and rinsed), or substitute beans of your choice here!  12-16 oz. small or medium pasta shells, or other small pasta such as elbows or ditalini    ##### DIRECTIONS:   In a Dutch oven, sauté onion, garlic and green pepper (if using) over medium heat in the olive oil. When those are softened, add the tomato paste and puree, using the cans to re-fill with water and add to the pot. Add salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, basil, red pepper (if using), and Romano cheese. Cook for 10 minutes, then add the peas. One of my mom’s favorite tips is to crush 1-2 peas on the side of the pot to really infuse flavor!   Cook for 60-90 minutes, stirring regularly.   When the sauce is close to being ready, boil the pasta according to package directions.   Serve the pasta topped by the sauce mixture, with added Romano cheese on top.    > [Click to tweet: > This #MeatlessFriday try a family-tested recipe for a childhood favorite, Macaroni and Peas. #CatholicMom](https://ctt.ac/r2kay) [![Download printable recipe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/1493a00e-030e-41aa-953e-9d2049d2578c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/1493a00e-030e-41aa-953e-9d2049d2578c) [![See our full list of Meatless Friday recipes](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/78e80fc5-0f87-4e45-9328-c9be5b685c01.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/78e80fc5-0f87-4e45-9328-c9be5b685c01)   ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20230331%20TWalsh%202.jpg?width=1080&height=1080&name=20230331%20TWalsh%202.jpg) --- Copyright 2023 Tiffany Walsh Images: copyright 2023 Tiffany Walsh, all rights reserved. ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fmeatless-friday-macaroni-and-peas%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fmeatless-friday-macaroni-and-peas%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fmeatless-friday-macaroni-and-peas%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Meatless%20Friday%3A%20Macaroni%20and%20Peas) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fmeatless-friday-macaroni-and-peas%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fmeatless-friday-macaroni-and-peas%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Tiffany Walsh](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/TIFFANY%20WALSH.jpeg) ### [Tiffany Walsh](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/tiffany-walsh) Tiffany Walsh is a wife and mother, a native western New Yorker, and a college librarian. She is a cradle Catholic who rekindled her childhood faith as a graduate student via her love of books, and is the author of *[Exploring the Catholic Classics](https://www.osvcatholicbookstore.com/product/exploring-the-catholic-classics-how-spiritual-reading-can-help-you-grow-in-wisdom-stay-connected-journals-for-catholic-women-2),* part of the Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women series. She enjoys writing about faith, crafting, dance, fitness and wellness. Visit her blog at [Life of a Catholic Librarian](http://www.lifeofacatholiclibrarian.com/). ## Related Blog Articles [ Meatless Friday: Zesty Black Bean Burritos Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/meatless-friday-zesty-black-bean-burritos) [ Meatless Friday: Crab Melts Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/meatless-friday-crab-melts) [ Reducing Clutter and Donating Books: a Satisfying Summer Project Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/reducing-clutter-and-donating-books-a-satisfying-summer-project) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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