Creamy Pasta Salad With Bacon And Peas Recipes

CREAMY PASTA SALAD WITH BACON AND PEAS

Steps:

• Boil the pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water until cool.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Then crumble or chop into small pieces.
• Combine the pasta with the bacon, carrots, peas, onions, mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon zest and juice in a large bowl and toss until coated and fully mixed together. Season generously with a pinch of salt and give another toss.
• Garnish with the parsley leaves if using. Cover and chill the pasta salad for about an hour.

PASTA AND LENTILS (PASTA E LENTICCHIE)

Steps:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 5 cups of water, the lentils, the thyme and bay leaves (if using). Partially cover, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until the lentils are al dente, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and 1 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil over high. Add the pasta and cook, stirring often to keep the pasta from sticking to the pot, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 20 minutes. (It may take longer than the cook time on the package.) If the pot starts to look dry at any point, add more water, 1/4 cup at a time.
• Turn off the heat, discard the thyme and bay leaves, then stir in the Parmesan. Cover and let sit for 3 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Eat with more Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.

CREAMY PASTA WITH SMOKED BACON AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted to a boil. Meanwhile, cut sliced bacon crosswise into thin slivers, or slice pancetta into julienne. Add pasta to boiling water and cook to taste.
• While pasta is cooking, place a large skillet over medium heat, and add 2 tablespoons olive oil and the butter. Add bacon or pancetta and a sprinkling of pepper, and fry until golden and crisp. Immediately add frozen peas and stir for a minute or two. Add crème fraîche or heavy cream and chopped mint.
• Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, and drain the pasta. Add pasta to the skillet and stir. Add lemon juice, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat. The mixture should be thick; if desired, a splash of the pasta water may be added to the sauce to thin it slightly. Add Parmesan and stir to mix. If desired, serve with a green salad.