Pasta with Peas and Pancetta is one of our family favorites. Orecchiette Pasta is shaped like little “ears” and is perfect to cradle the peas and pancetta. This recipe does not use any cream. The chicken stock, pancetta fat, and olive oil give it a nice richness. I prefer to buy a whole piece of pancetta from the deli counter and cube it myself. No salt is required in this dish. The pancetta and parmesan are enough. Don’t let the pasta overcook.
Peas & Pancetta with Orecchiette Pasta
This is a versatile recipe. if you don't have pancetta you can substitute Italian sausage or regular bacon. You can also make this a vegetarian dish and leave out the pancetta.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Ingredients
- ½ lb cubed pancetta
- 1 TB olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 5 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 ½ cups frozen peas
- red & black pepper to taste
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 lb orecchiette pasta
- 1 TB salt
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
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Fry the pancetta in olive over a medium heat until crisp in a large saute pan.. Keep the fat that is rendered from the pancetta.
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Add the onions and garlic and fry for 1-2 minutes.
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Add the peas, peppers, and chicken stock and simmer for 10 minutes.
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Boil the pasta for 9 minutes in salted water until “al dente”.
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Transfer the pasta to the saute pan with a slotted spoon.
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Mix well and add the parmesan cheese. Simmer for 2 more minutes.
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Serve immediately.
That was really delicious Cara. Vince made enough for dinner again tomorrow
Great recipe???
Thank you Marcy!!IT is one of my favorite dishes too!. The more garlic the better.
My dear cousin…we have been making pasta and peas for years, but this was the first time we used your recipe and it was a home run. The pancetta and the peppers gave it a nuance that made it the best ever.we are following all your recipes and will be trying more of them. Keep up the good work
Your cousin Vince
Thank you so much!