Pappardelle with Pancetta, Peas & Mint
After our trip to Italy in 2019, it didn’t take long to realize that some of the best Italian dishes are simple ingredients prepared with great technique. It’s not overly complicated, just great food! For our family, this Pappardelle with Pancetta, Peas & Mint is one of those simple recipes that just tastes great!
This Pappardelle with Pancetta, Peas and Mint is quick, easy and the fresh herbs add a nice pop at the end. Whether you are using fresh peas or frozen, add them in at the very end, just to warm though. If you cook them for too long, they will lose their vibrant green color and turn slightly brownish. I hope you love all the simple flavors in this pasta dish as much as I do!
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Course
Entree
Cuisine
Italian
Servings
6 servings
Ingredients
2-4 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
6 oz. Pancetta – diced
1 Leek – cleaned thoroughly and sliced thinly (green and light white parts only)
2 Garlic Cloves – minced
1 lb. Pappardelle Pasta
4 oz. creme fraiche
½ cup Heavy Cream
1 cup Peas
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper
½ cup Parm – grated
1 Tbsp. Fresh Mint – chopped
1 Tbsp. Fresh Basil – chopped
1 Tbsp. Fresh Parsley – chopped
Instructions
1. Start a large pot of salted boiling water on high.
2. Heat a deep sided sauté pan over medium heat for 1-2 mins., add pancetta and cook until fat is rendered and It’s crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and reserve in a separate bowl.
3. Add a few Tbsp. of EVOO to the same sauté pan over medium low heat, add leeks, sauté 4 mins., add garlic and sauté 1 min.
4. Meanwhile, cook pasta to package directions.
5. To the sauté pan with the leeks and garlic, add back in the pancetta and stir 2 mins.
6. Add crème fraiche and heavy cream, stir to combine and turn off the heat. Stir in the peas.
7. When the pasta is done cooking, add it directly into the sauté pan with the sauce, reserve 2 cups of pasta water.
8. Incorporate pasta into the sauce, season with salt and pepper and add 1-2 ladles of pasta water, stir to combine.
9. Top with freshly grated parmesan and the fresh herbs; mint, basil and parsley.