This pasta ceci e piselli is a chick pea and pea pasta, made in one pot, with just 6 ingredients (chick peas, peas, onion, olive oil, pasta, and parmigiano reggiano). The chick peas and peas simmer on the stove with water to create a broth. Part of the chick peas and peas are then blended and added back into the broth to create a creamy texture. The small tubular pasta (ditalini) is cooked right in the broth, and releases all its starches to create a creamy, decadent dish that one could describe as a cross between a soup and a stewy pasta dish.
In a large pan with high sides, add the olive oil over medium heat
Once the olive oil is warmed through, add in the onion. Cook until it's golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes
Add in the peas and chick peas, mix them in with the onion and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper
Add about 2 cups of warm water (just enough to cover the peas and chick peas
Let the peas and chick peas cook for 5-7 minutes.
Remove about 1 ¼ cups of peas/chick peas into a measuring cup and blend with an immersion blender until completely blended
Add the blended peas and chick peas back into the pan. Adjust for salt and pepper.
Once the liquid comes back to a boil, add in the pasta.
Cook the pasta. When the pasta starts drying out, add more warm water one ladle at a time. Continue this process until the pasta is cooked. Cook the pasta until it is done to your liking
You will have to keep stirring the pasta often while it's cooking, or else it will stick to the bottom of the pan.
Remove from heat, and add grated parmigiano reggiano, and drizzle with extra olive oil. Stir once more.
Plate, top with more olive oil and parmigiano if desired. Buon Appetito!