Pea Pancetta Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ozorecchiette pasta
1/2 lb
- 4 ozdiced pancetta
- 8 ozfrozen peas
1 1/2 cups
- 2 tbspsalted butter
- ⅓ cpanko bread crumbs
- 3 clovesfresh garlic
- ¼ tspgarlic powder
- ¼ tsponion powder
- 1 tspdried parsley
- ¼ tspdried basil
- ¼ tspdried oregano
- ½ cchicken broth
- ½ creserved pasta water
- ⅓ cparmesan cheese
shredded
- ⅛ tspkosher salt
Directions
- 1
Heat a medium to large sized pot of salted water on stove over high to bring to a boil. This can take up to 10 minutes.
- 2
After about 4-5 minutes, add butter to a skillet and heat over medium. Once mostly melted, add panko bread crumbs and garlic and onion powder. Mix in butter then spread out in an even layer to toast 30-60 seconds, then mix to continue to toast for another 30-60 seconds until bread crumbs begin to brown. Remove bread crumbs from pan and set aside.
- 3
In the same pan, add pancetta to fry for about 6 minutes. By now your pasta water should be boiling, add the orecchiette pasta to water and set timer for 1 minute less than the cooking time on box / container instructs (most of the time orecchiette pasta takes about 9-12 minutes, 9 being the most al dente, so we find 10 minutes the right amount of cooking time so we boil it for 9 minutes).
- 4
Add fresh garlic and cook with pancetta for another minute or two until pancetta is fully cooked (browned and crisped). Stir often to prevent garlic from burning.
- 5
Once pancetta is done, spoon out a majority of the grease, but leave about a tablespoon left.
- 6
Add peas and give a quick mix with the pancetta (and grease) then add the chicken stock and ladle out a 1/2 cup of pasta water from your pasta (that should be just about done by now), and add to the skillet. Add parsley, oregano, basil, and salt to skillet.
- 7
Drain pasta (don't rinse!).
- 8
Turn up heat to medium high and bring everything in the skillet to a gentle boil, then add pasta to the skillet and mix. Let the pasta finish cooking in the skillet for another 1 minute. Test for doneness.
- 9
Once pasta is done, turn heat down to medium low and add Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
- 10
Add 1/2 of the panko breadcrumbs and mix. Serve and add the remaining bread crumbs to the plates. Enjoy!
Pea Pancetta Pasta
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About this Recipe
Craving a deeply flavorful, satisfying meal that comes together in a flash? This Pea Pancetta Pasta recipe is your answer, transforming simple ingredients into a gourmet-tasting main course perfect for any weeknight.
The secret to this weeknight pasta's appeal lies in the crispy pancetta, which renders its savory fat to form the foundation of a rich, aromatic sauce. Paired with sweet, tender peas and a blend of complementary herbs like parsley, basil, and oregano, this dish achieves a remarkable depth of flavor quickly. It’s an easy but oh so flavorful approach to making a quick, comforting pasta dish.
What to expect? You'll be greeted with a comforting bowl of orecchiette pasta, each 'little ear' perfectly cradling the delightful combination of salty, crisp pancetta and vibrant, sweet peas. The sauce, light yet incredibly savory, is built upon the rendered pancetta fat, garlic, and a hint of chicken broth, then finished with shredded Parmesan cheese and the starchy pasta water for a silky texture. The addition of panko bread crumbs provides a welcome textural contrast, adding a subtle crunch to every bite. This main course promises a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, designed for maximum enjoyment with minimal fuss.
For a delicious twist, consider swapping the pancetta for diced prosciutto or even a plant-based bacon alternative if you prefer. If you don't have orecchiette on hand, any small, sturdy pasta shape that can hold onto the peas and sauce, like cavatappi or campanelle, would work beautifully. A pinch of red pepper flakes would also add a gentle warmth if you enjoy a touch of spice.
This flavorful pasta is ideal for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner, but its elegant simplicity also makes it suitable for a casual gathering with friends. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad for a complete and utterly delightful meal.