Penne with Pancetta
Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this decadent Penne with Pancetta recipe—a creamy, flavor-packed pasta dish that’s both comforting and indulgent. Al dente penne is tossed in a luscious sauce made from crispy pancetta, fragrant garlic, rich heavy cream, and melted Parmesan cheese, creating the ultimate savory experience. A touch of freshly chopped parsley adds brightness, while a sprinkle of reserved pasta water ensures the perfect silky texture. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy recipe is perfect for busy nights yet sophisticated enough to impress guests. Serve it hot with extra Parmesan on the side for a truly irresistible meal that combines authentic Italian flavors with a modern twist.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams penne pasta
- 150 grams pancetta, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 units garlic cloves, minced
- 200 ml heavy cream
- 100 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground
- 0.5 cup pasta cooking water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced pancetta and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the pancetta and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir well to combine with the pancetta and garlic. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet and stir until melted and incorporated into the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta cooking water, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, tossing well to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the pasta for garnish.
Serve the Penne with Pancetta hot, with extra grated Parmesan cheese on the side if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
625 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 44.0 g | 56% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.5 g | 102% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 101 mg | 34% | |
| Sodium | 1492 mg | 65% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 32.7 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.0 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.8 g | ||
| Protein | 21.5 g | 43% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 296 mg | 23% | |
| Iron | 1.5 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 169 mg | 4% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
