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Pasta with Peas and Pancetta

17/11/2023

Pasta with peas and pancetta is a simple and tasty dish, perfect for a quick meal full of flavor. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 320g of pasta (penne, farfalle or your favorite short pasta)
  • 150g of diced pancetta
  • 400g of fresh or frozen peas
  • 1 small onion
  • Extra virgin olive oil as needed
  • Salt and pepper as needed
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Fresh mint for garnishing (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Meanwhile, you can prepare the sauce.

  2. In a large skillet, sauté the finely chopped onion in a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil until it becomes translucent.

  3. Add the diced pancetta and let it cook until it becomes crispy.

  4. Add the peas to the pan (if they are frozen, there is no need to thaw them first). Cook for about 10 minutes, adding a little water if necessary to prevent the sauce from drying out too much.

  5. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package, draining it al dente. Reserve some of the pasta cooking water.

  6. Transfer the drained pasta to the skillet with the pancetta and pea sauce, mixing well to amalgamate the ingredients. If the sauce seems too dry, add some of the pasta cooking water to make it creamier.

  7. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper according to your taste.

  8. Serve hot, with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and some fresh mint leaves for a touch of freshness.

Fun Facts

This dish is a more rustic variant of the classic pasta with peas. The addition of pancetta provides a smoky flavor and a crispy texture that pairs well with the sweetness of the peas. If you want a more Italian touch, you could replace the pancetta with guanciale, which will balance its intense taste with the sweet aroma of the peas.

Pasta with peas and pancetta