The Coziest Pasta with Peas and Pancetta Recipe for Chilly Nights

Crafting a delightful pasta e piselli brings comfort right to your plate.

Italians have cherished this simple yet elegant dish for generations.

Rustic ingredients blend seamlessly in this classic recipe from Naples.

Crispy pancetta adds a delicious salty crunch that perfectly complements sweet green peas.

Soft pasta captures the rich, savory sauce in every delectable bite.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with this quick and satisfying meal.

You’ll fall in love with how effortlessly these ingredients create something magical.

Pasta e Piselli – Pasta Meets Peas & Pancetta Perfection

• Quick Weeknight Dinner: Create a delicious Italian-inspired meal in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy families seeking a satisfying and speedy solution.
• Family-Friendly Flavor Fusion: Combine kid-approved ingredients like peas and pasta with sophisticated pancetta, pleasing both adults and children at the dinner table.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Whip up an impressive dish using just a few pantry staples, making this recipe budget-friendly and incredibly convenient for last-minute meals.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimize cleanup with a single-pot cooking method that streamlines preparation and reduces dishwashing time, ideal for weeknight cooking.

Staples for Pasta with Peas and Pancetta

• Pasta: Holds the dish together, short pasta works best for even distribution of ingredients.
• Pasta Water: Essential for creating a silky sauce, helps bind ingredients.

• Pancetta, Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, salty depth to the dish, choose high-quality Italian-style pancetta.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic base, fresh garlic recommended for best flavor.

• Onion, Peas: Brings sweetness and bright color to the pasta, fresh peas preferred when in season.
• Lemon Juice: Adds bright, fresh tang to balance rich ingredients.

• Olive Oil: Provides smooth texture and carries flavor, extra virgin olive oil recommended.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances overall taste, adjust according to personal preference.

Cooking Method for Pasta with Peas and Pancetta (Pasta e Piselli)

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.

Drop in the pasta and cook according to package instructions.

Before draining, carefully scoop out a cup of starchy pasta water and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in the same pot over medium heat.

Add finely chopped onions and cook until they become soft and translucent.

Toss in minced garlic during the final minute of cooking to release its fragrant aroma without burning.

Step 3: Crisp Pancetta

Add diced pancetta to the pot and cook until the edges turn golden and crispy.

The meat will release its savory fat, creating a delicious flavor base for the dish.

Step 4: Introduce Peas

• Fresh peas
• Frozen peas

Cook for 3-5 minutes depending on the pea type, allowing them to become tender and bright green.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Return the cooked pasta to the pot.

Splash in the reserved pasta water and stir thoroughly.

• Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Grated parmesan cheese

Season with salt and pepper to your liking.

Drizzle with a final touch of olive oil before serving hot.

Pasta e Piselli Tricks From The Kitchen

• Always save a cup of starchy pasta water to help create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats every noodle.
• Add minced garlic during the last minute of sautéing onions to release flavor without scorching, which can make it bitter.
• Cook pancetta slowly over medium heat to render fat and achieve a golden, crispy texture that adds delicious crunch to the dish.
• Swap pancetta with crispy mushrooms or plant-based bacon for vegetarian version, and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan for dairy-free option.
• Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end to brighten the dish and cut through the richness of pancetta and cheese.

Pasta e Piselli Tips for Storing and Warming Up

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm pasta gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of pasta water or olive oil to prevent drying and restore moisture.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers, sealing tightly and storing for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Consume refrigerated pasta within 2-3 days for the best texture and flavor, as peas and pancetta can lose their original crisp and taste over time.

Best Bites For Pasta

• Pair Zesty White Wine: Select a crisp, acidic Italian white wine like Pinot Grigio to complement the salty pancetta and bright lemon notes. The wine's refreshing character cuts through the richness perfectly.
• Serve Fresh Herb Salad: Create a light arugula salad with shaved parmesan, lemon vinaigrette, and cracked black pepper. This side dish mirrors the pasta's fresh, tangy flavors and provides a peppery contrast.
• Match Crusty Garlic Bread: Prepare toasted ciabatta brushed with olive oil and rubbed with garlic. The bread's crunchy texture and garlic undertones enhance the pasta's savory pancetta and cheesy elements.
• Add Crisp Prosecco: Pour a chilled Prosecco to bring sparkling brightness that balances the dish's salty and creamy components. Its effervescence cleanses the palate between bites, making each mouthful feel light and refreshing.

Pasta e Piselli Style Switches

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace pancetta with smoked tofu or tempeh, sautéed until golden brown for a plant-based protein alternative.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional pasta with chickpea, lentil, or rice pasta to accommodate gluten-sensitive diners while maintaining the dish's creamy texture.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice, keeping the peas and pancetta for a lighter, nutrient-dense meal.
• Dairy-Free Version: Omit parmesan cheese and use nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternative to create a lactose-free rendition of the classic recipe.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in Pasta e Piselli?

The key ingredients are pasta, peas, pancetta, onion, garlic, parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

• Is pancetta essential to this recipe?

While pancetta adds rich flavor, you can substitute it with bacon or omit it for a vegetarian version.

• Can I use frozen peas instead of fresh?

Yes, the recipe works perfectly with frozen peas and even recommends adjusting cooking time slightly to 5 minutes instead of 3 minutes for fresh peas.

• How do I prevent the garlic from burning?

Add minced garlic during the last minute of sautéing onions and cook over medium heat to prevent burning and maintain its delicate flavor.

Pasta with Peas and Pancetta (Pasta e Piselli) Recipe

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4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Classic Italian comfort meets quick weeknight magic with pasta e piselli. Salty pancetta, sweet green peas, and creamy parmesan blend into a simple yet sophisticated dish that brings rustic Roman flavors directly to your kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) short pasta (mezze rigatoni or similar)
• 2 cups (300 grams) peas (fresh or frozen)
• 4 ounces (113 grams) pancetta, diced

Aromatics and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) olive oil, divided
• Juice of 1 lemon

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (25 grams) parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) reserved pasta water

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Instructions

1. Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente, carefully preserving one cup of starchy cooking liquid before straining.
2. Transfer the pasta to a separate bowl using a slotted spoon or colander.
3. Clean the original pot and warm olive oil over medium flame.
4. Gently sauté finely chopped onions until they become translucent and soft, incorporating minced garlic during the final moments to prevent burning.
5. Introduce diced pancetta and render the fat, cooking until edges crisp and turn golden brown.
6. Fold fresh or frozen peas into the pancetta mixture, allowing them to warm through and develop a vibrant color.
7. Remove the pot from heat and reunite the cooked pasta with the pancetta and pea mixture.
8. Splash in reserved pasta water, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and grated parmesan cheese, creating a silky, cohesive sauce.
9. Season the dish with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, ensuring balanced flavors.
10. Finish by drizzling additional extra virgin olive oil and serving immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Toast pancetta gently to render fat without burning, creating a crispy texture that adds depth to the dish.
• Use fresh peas when possible for brighter flavor and better nutritional value, but frozen work perfectly fine as a convenient alternative.
• Adjust pasta water quantity based on desired sauce consistency – more water creates a looser sauce, less water makes it more concentrated.
• Consider substituting pancetta with bacon for smoky flavor or omitting entirely for vegetarian version by adding extra olive oil and garlic.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg