Description
Hearty pasta e piselli celebrates simple Italian comfort cooking with green peas and pancetta. Creamy pasta combines pantry staples for a quick, satisfying meal you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (1 lb) peas (fresh or frozen)
- 320 g (11 oz) ditalini or small pasta
- 50 g (1 cup) parmesan cheese (freshly grated, plus extra for serving)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large shallot (finely chopped)
- Handful of fresh basil (optional)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Aromatics Awakening: Gently caramelize shallots in olive oil over medium heat, coaxing out their subtle, sweet essence until translucent and fragrant.
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a generously salted water pot to a vigorous boil, then partially cook pasta, reserving the starchy cooking liquid for later use.
- Pea Transformation: Introduce vibrant green peas to the shallot-infused skillet, allowing them to simmer and soften in the reserved pasta water, creating a delicate, verdant base.
- Flavor Fusion: Merge the partially cooked pasta into the pea-laden pan, gradually incorporating additional starchy liquid while stirring attentively to achieve a luxurious, creamy texture and perfect al dente pasta.
- Final Flourish: Remove from heat, gracefully fold in freshly grated parmesan and torn basil leaves, seasoning with salt and cracked black pepper to elevate the dish’s nuanced flavor profile.
- Culinary Presentation: Immediately plate the pasta, adorning with an extra sprinkle of parmesan, showcasing this rustic Italian classic that epitomizes seasonal simplicity and comfort.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve starchy cooking liquid to create a silky, glossy sauce that binds ingredients perfectly and enhances overall flavor depth.
- Al Dente Mastery: Cook pasta only halfway in boiling water to ensure it finishes cooking in the skillet, absorbing maximum flavor and maintaining ideal texture.
- Gentle Simmering Technique: Low and slow heat allows peas and shallots to develop rich, subtle flavors without burning or losing their delicate sweetness.
- Fresh Herb Finale: Add basil and parmesan at the end to preserve their vibrant taste and prevent wilting or cheese separation, maintaining the dish’s bright, fresh character.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg