Pancetta And Asparagus Pasta Recipes

ROASTED ASPARAGUS, PANCETTA & CHERRY TOMATO PASTA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Boil the pasta in salted water. Put the asparagus into a roasting tin, then toss with the oil and pancetta. Roast for 10 mins until the pancetta starts to crisp up, stir in the tomatoes, then cook for 5 mins more.
• Drain the pasta, then add to the roasting tin along with the torn basil leaves and seasoning. Stir well until everything is glistening, then serve in bowls, scattered with grated Parmesan.

TAGLIATELLE WITH ASPARAGUS, CRISPY PANCETTA AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Snap the woody bottoms off the asparagus stalks and throw them away.
• Cut off the top 4cm of each stalk, put to one side and finely chop the remaining stalks. Heat a wide frying pan and gently fry the chopped asparagus stalks in a little olive oil with the pancetta. When the asparagus softens slightly turn the heat off and mash them roughly with the back of a fork.
• Cook the tagliatelle in plenty of boiling salted water, according to pack instructions. Add the asparagus tips for the last 2 minutes of cooking time.
• Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of the cooking water, and toss with the mashed asparagus and pancetta.
• Stir in most of the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. If needed loosen the pasta with a little of the cooking water. Serve with the last of the Parmesan sprinkled on top.
• Tip: Cooking your asparagus with the pasta is a clever way to save on time and washing up.

PANCETTA AND ASPARAGUS PASTA

Steps:

• Sauté pancetta in a large pan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until crispy. Remove pancetta with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Add asparagus to the pan and sauté in the pancetta grease for about 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until almost cooked.
• Slowly add the white wine to deglaze the pan. Continue cooking for 5 minutes or until the wine has reduced by about half.
• Cook the pasta in a large pot according to package instructions. Drain, but reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water for later (if needed).
• Add the pasta, pancetta and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese to the sauté pan with asparagus, and toss until combined. Sprinkle pasta with the remaining Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

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.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Bend asparagus gently until it breaks at a natural point, and discard ends.
• Toss asparagus with oil and minced garlic, and spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Season with salt and peppers and sprinkle with diced pancetta and parmesan cheese.
• Roast at 400F for 12 minutes or until done.
• Serve with lemon squeezed over asparagus.

PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS, PANCETTA AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°.
• Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; add asparagus to pan during last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain. Sprinkle pasta mixture with garlic; return to pan, and toss well.
• Arrange pine nuts in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan. Bake at 400° for 3 minutes or until golden and fragrant, stirring occasionally. Place in a small bowl.
• Increase oven temperature to 475°.
• Arrange pancetta on jelly-roll pan. Bake at 475° for 6 minutes or until crisp.
• Combine lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle over pasta mixture; toss well.