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Creamy Pea and Pancetta Pasta

Creamy, cheesy, salty and oh-so-perfect because of the pancetta. This is a household favorite! 
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4
Author: Tessa Port

Ingredients

Ingredients:

  • 1 package dry pasta You can use any kind you have on hand. *Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.*
  • 1 package english peas You can use 1 small bag of frozen peas if you can't find english peas.
  • 1 package pancetta
  • 1/2 white onion diced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 2 cups freshly grated parmesan
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 tsp salt to taste
  • 1/4 tsp pepper to taste

Instructions

Directions:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente and drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water. Set aside.
  • Cook the pancetta in a large pan until browned and crispy. Transfer pancetta to a paper towel lined plate with a slotted spoon and let drain. In the same pan, add the diced onion. (Don't drain the pancetta grease! We want all that flavor in there.) Let cook for about 5 minutes or until softened. Add in the peas and minced garlic and sautee for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Meanwhile, in a small pan melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add in the cream and bring to a simmer. Then add in the parmesan, salt and pepper, whisking the whole time until it creates a creamy sauce. About 1-2 minutes.
  • Take your drained pasta and pancetta and pour it into the large pan with the peas and onions. Then stir in the 1 cup of reserved pasta water. Next, pour the cream sauce over your pasta. Stir to combine.