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A close up of rigatoni with pancetta, peas and parmesan.

One-Pot Pasta with Peas and Pancetta

Cara
A delicious blend of crispy pancetta, creamy mascarpone, and savory Parmesan, creating a rich and flavorful Italian-inspired dish. It all comes together in less than 30 minutes, and in one pot.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 8 people
Calories 499 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Dutch oven

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 8 oz pancetta cubed
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 4 C chicken broth + 1 C of water
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 lb dried pasta
  • 1 C frozen peas
  • ¾ C mascarpone or cream cheese
  • ½ C parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add pancetta, and fry until it's starting to brown. Add onion and garlic, soften.
  • Add the tomato paste. Stir until it coats the pancetta, onion, and garlic.
  • Add chicken broth and water. Season with parsley, basil, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Add your pasta. Turn the heat down and cover. Be sure to stir ever five minutes or so, or the pasta will start to stick to the bottom of the pan.
  • When the pasta is almost cooked (10 mins or so), add the frozen peas. Cook for another few minutes.
  • Add the mascarpone and parmesan. Stir to heat through.
  • Serve with more parmesan sprinkled on top.

Video

Notes

  • Ensure pancetta is diced uniformly for consistent crispiness. You can often buy it pre-cut these days - highly recommend. 
  • Monitor tomato paste for the ideal darkened hue to intensify its flavor. This is up to personal taste - if you like it more mild, this is totally optional. 
  • Stir pasta to prevent sticking (this can happen easily), testing for al dente perfection before adding peas.
  • Add frozen peas towards the end to maintain vibrant color and avoid mushiness.
  • Allow mascarpone to reach room temperature for a smooth integration.
  • Sprinkle fresh herbs just before serving for some freshness.
  • Embrace creativity with veggies or proteins; tailor spices to personal taste. The world is your oyster!

Nutrition

Calories: 499kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 17gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 1094mgPotassium: 362mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 619IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 137mgIron: 2mg
Keyword pasta pancetta peas, pasta with pancetta and peas
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