Smoky Cajun Black Eyed Peas Pasta is sure to bring you health and wealth in the coming year.
Good Fortune
Need some good fortune for the coming year? Traditions say eating certain foods on New Year’s Day will bring you health and wealth. We could all use a little more of that, right? Black eyed peas and long noodles are two of those lucky foods. Fill up a bowl with this Smoky Cajun Black Eyed Peas Pasta and enjoy a fabulous 2016!
Black Eyed Peas
Black eyed peas are said to resemble coins and, therefore, represent wealth. These cream colored legumes with black spots are full of protein, fiber, iron and potassium, making them a good choice regardless. I happen to LOVE them. When I first made this dish, I made a huge batch of black eyed peas in my instant pot and I could’t stop popping them into my mouth as I finished the rest of the dish. They were plain, just cooked in water, and so delicious! Just don’t over cook them – I think they are best with a little bite left.
Long Noodles
Long noodles represent longevity. The trick is to slurp the entire noodle into your mouth without chewing or breaking it though. So, in this instance, it’s ok to slurp your food! Kids especially think this is super fun. 🙂
Cajun Black Eyed Peas Pasta
Cajun black eyed peas are traditionally served over rice, which is also delicious and would work just fine in this recipe if you prefer. We definitely enjoyed it served over pasta and the kids happily ate leftovers too.
Happy 2016!
To really up the ante on your chances of wealth, you could also add a cup of chopped greens towards the end of the cooking process. Collard greens or kale would work best, but spinach would be a good choice too.
Here’s to an amazing 2016! I wish health, wealth and happiness to all of you!
Do you enjoy any New Year’s traditions in your family?

- 1/2 white onion (diced)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 2 celery stalks (diced)
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth or water
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp liquid smoke
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups cooked black eyed peas
- 1 cup leafy greens (chopped) (collard greens, kale, spinach, etc), optional
- 1 lb long noodles (cooked according to package directions) (or pasta of choice...or rice) (gluten free noodles if desired)
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In a large deep skillet over medium heat, sauté the onion, garlic, peppers and celery until softened - about 7-9 minutes.
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Add the crushed tomatoes and spices, turn down heat to med-low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Add the cooked black eyed peas and greens, if using, and simmer another 5 minutes to heat through.
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Serve over pasta (or rice).
~I cook dried black eyed peas in my instant pot in about 17-18 minutes with a 10 minute release. You could also use already cooked canned black eyed peas if you prefer.
~This would also be delicious served over rice instead of noodles.
~Feel free to add a cup of chopped greens, like collard greens or kale, in the last few minutes of cooking.
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More Lucky New Year’s Recipes to Love:
Cajun Black Eyed Pea & Lentil Stuffed Collard Greens
Lorie says
Oh dear, not telling my nieces and nephews it’s ok to slurp! Ha! Looooove black eyed peas but never seem to make them enough!
Jenn S. says
Haha! It will be our little secret. 🙂 And, yes, we really should eat black eyed peas all year – they’re so yummy!
Alisa Fleming says
I’ve never had black eyed peas, but always hear about them when the new year rolls around. I need to get on trying them and this recipe seems perfect for a meatless dinner.
Jenn S. says
What? Never? They’re really good – I’m not sure why we don’t eat them all year. Silly!
Alisa Fleming says
It’s very possible that I’ve inadvertently had them at a restaurant or party, but not in my memory! I’ll need to pick some up. I’ve been doing a lot of bean lunches lately 🙂
Jenn S. says
I hope you love them!
Rachel says
My sister-in-law makes black eyed peas and Collards every year! I should take after her tradition. 🙂
Jenn S. says
That’s a very traditional New Year’s meal. I LOVE collard greens and I actually do stuffed collard greens with a black eyed pea mixture that’s really good too. Gotta get as much luck as possible. 🙂
Whitney E. RD says
As if I needed another excuse to eat pasta 😉 I didn’t know that long noodles were good luck – excited to try this recipe! Looks fantastic!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Whitney! We do a LOT of pasta around here. Thank goodness it’s lucky! 🙂
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet says
A double dose of luck in one dish – love it! I don’t think I’ve ever cooked with black-eyed peas – need to add them to the list 🙂 Great recipe!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, April! Black Eyed Peas are so good! You will love them!
Julia says
This looks great! I’m trying to cook more vegan dishes. This is definitly on my list
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Julia! I hope you love it! Please come back and let me know how it turns out for you. 🙂
revisfoodography says
A bi fan of pasta and black eyed peas right here. But I have never thought of combining both. This seems to be an amazing recipe. Looks gorgeous too 🙂
Jenn S. says
Thanks so much, Revi! I hope you enjoy!
Mark, CompassandFork says
This looks really good. Love the combination of ingredients.
Jenn S. says
Thank you so much, Mark!
Sina @ Vegan Heaven says
This looks like a recipe I’d absolutely love, Jenn! Can’t wait to give it a try! 🙂 And your photos are so gorgeous!
Jenn S. says
Thank you so much, Sina!
Howie Fox says
Is it just me or did you improve your food photography? These photos look amazing!!!
Plus this is my kind of recipe too. Just stocked up on all different kinds of legumes!! Will give this one a shot 🙂
Jenn S. says
Thanks so much, Howie! Definitely improved over the last few months!
Gin says
This looks so delicious Jenn! I love the idea of beans and noodles together, never tried it but you’ve inspired me!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Gin! Hope you love it!
Manal's Bites says
How lovely Jenn…I never thought of using black eye peas with pasta before and I have a can in my pantry which I don’t know what to do with…here comes a recipe to try…many thanks and Happy New Year
Jenn S. says
Thank you so much, Manal! Hope you love it! Happy New Year!
Jac -Tinned Tomatoes (@tinnedtoms) says
That looks absolutely stunning! I’m drooling here. Pinned and stumbled.
Jenn S. says
Thank you so much, Jac!
Candy Company says
After heave Christmas food these noodles would make me truly happy! 🙂
Jenn S. says
Thank you so much!
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
That lost shot… I honestly just want to grab a big bite and DIG IN!! Happy New Year my friend 🙂 Pasta seems like the best way to start this year off right! 😀
Jenn S. says
Pasta is always good choice, right? Thanks, Ceara! Happy New Year!
melmcdonald2 says
Yum! I love the sound of this. A very tasty, wholesome meal to carry you forward into the new year with health and wealth. I am all for that!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Mel! Happy New Year!
Kathy Hester says
How yummy! I love you mixing in pasta, I usually eat my black eyed peas over rice. Can’t wait to try it!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Kathy! It would be great over rice too. The pasta was nice change of pace…and my kids love anything with noodles! 🙂
Cris says
Say no more and pass me that bowl! 🙂 I know what I”m going to make this weekend, especially before the long run. Thanks, Jenn!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Cris!! I hope you love it!
Molly ~ EasycookingwithMolly says
This looks so delicious. We make black eyed peas often at home but never tried them with pasta. Will definitely try soon.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Molly! They are so good!
curlsnchard says
I’ve never thought of combining beans and pasta – so interesting! 😀 And I only heard this year from Rebecca/Strength and Sunshine about the luck of black eyed peas, I don’t think we have any of those food traditions for new years (or at least I don’t know of any)!
Jenn S. says
Where are you from Kat? Lucky or not, I love black eyed peas. I need to remember to bring them out all year long, not just on New Year’s.
curlsnchard says
I’m from the south of Austria – so the middle of Europe 🙂
Jenn S. says
Oh cool! Don’t know about traditions there, but I bet there is something! Might be cool to look it up!
Becky says
Oh this looks so good! Oh this looks so good! What a great idea!What a great idea!
Jenn S. says
HaHa..thank you, Becky!
Ginny McMeans says
I want to dive right into this spicy pile of goodness. Love that you mixed black eyed peas with pasta. It really sounds good!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Ginny! It was a great combo!
The Vegan 8 says
Ha ha so funny, I just posted a smoky black-eyed pea dish too. I LOVE that you served this over pasta, what a great idea! I naturally would think of rice too like you mentioned, but pasta is a great twist! We finished off my big pot of black-eyed pea soup, so now I’m ready for more and I think this would be a great idea for more black-eyed peas!
Jenn S. says
Too funny, Brandi! I just commented on your FB post that I have leftover black eyed peas from the huge batch that I made the other day…and I have sweet potatoes on the counter! I think we will be swapping recipes very soon. 🙂 Thanks, girl!
Kelly Page (@TastingPage) says
Lots of good luck in that bowl, and also looks like a super tasty meal!
Jenn S. says
We could all use a little luck, right? Thanks, Kelly!
spabettie says
our new year tradition is making tamales! one year I did fill some with black eyed peas, though… still craving pasta, this sounds so good!
Jenn S. says
Oooh, tamales! That sounds delicious! Thanks, Kristina!
Natalie says
An easy tasty recipe and permission to noodle slurp, I like how you do New Years!
Jenn S. says
We don’t do fancy over here! Slurp it up, get a little messy! Happy New Year, Natalie!
Linda @ Veganosity says
Oh. My. Goodness. That’s a whole lot of my favorite food in that gorgeous bowl. I love black eyed peas and smoky flavors. Adding collard greens would be the icing on the cake. Yum, yum, yum!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Linda! Collards would be awesome in this!
Strength and Sunshine says
There it is!!!! O my gosh, it’s perfect!!!! If you don’t eat this on New years…….there’s just no hope for you 😉 The ultimate bowl of luck!
Jenn S. says
LOL! I’m not taking any chances!I’ll probably top it with a pound of kale too! 🙂 Thanks, Rebecca!