Best Easy Pasta con le Fave Recipe

Pasta tossed with fresh fava beans, pecorino, and mint captures Italian spring. A vegetarian high protein mediterranean dish that's fresh, seasonal, and perfect for family dinners.

Cook 30 min Difficulty NORMAL 420 kcal
#vegetarian #high protein #mediterranean
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • fava beans (fresh, shelled) 2 cups
  • pasta (short, e.g. ditalini or orecchiette) 12 oz
  • pecorino Romano cheese (finely grated) 3 oz
  • fresh mint leaves (chopped) 1 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
  • olive oil 2 tbsp
  • garlic cloves (minced) 2 pieces
  • salt 1 tsp
  • black pepper 0.5 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 63 g 60%
Protein 20 g 19%
Fat 10 g 21%
Serving size 340g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain the pasta.

  2. 2

    While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute—do not brown.

  3. 3

    Add fava beans to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until tender but still bright green. Adjust heat to prevent overcooking.

  4. 4

    Add drained pasta to the skillet with fava beans and garlic. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.

  5. 5

    Remove from heat. Stir in grated pecorino Romano and chopped mint. Season with salt and black pepper. Mix thoroughly and serve immediately.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
Fresh fava beans are the star ingredient of Pasta con le Fave. Their buttery texture and grassy flavor define the dish, especially when paired with pecorino Romano and mint for classic spring-savory balance.
Q. How should I control the heat while cooking the fava beans?
When sautéing fava beans in olive oil, keep the heat at medium. Stir frequently and avoid letting them brown; you want them tender and bright green, so reduce heat if they cook too quickly, ensuring a fresh flavor and perfect texture.
Q. How do I avoid mushy pasta or overcooked beans?
To prevent mushiness, cook the pasta just until al dente and immediately combine it with beans and garlic off direct heat. Toss gently and add pasta water incrementally. This preserves both the bite of the pasta and the gentle firmness of the fava beans.
Q. What are the nutrition highlights per serving?
Each serving contains about 420 kcal, with 63g carbohydrates (60%), 20g protein (19%), and 10g fat (21%). This balance supports high protein and vegetarian nutritional needs while fitting Mediterranean dietary guidelines.
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