Buttery orecchiette with crispy pancetta and peas – Say hello to your new addition to a fast-but-delicious recipe rotation. It sounds like a cliché, because it is, but this recipe adds far more than the sum of its parts. Orecchiette, crispy pancetta bits, the fresh sweet pop of peas and a butter sauce jazzed up with Parmesan. This dish is easy to make on a weeknight when you’re pressed for time, but fancy enough to brighten up your next dinner party when you host friends for dinner. The crunchy breadcrumbs steal the show to make everyday pasta and frozen peas feel super special. Crisp bites of pancetta add a salty twist and perfectly cut through the sweetness of the peas, making it simply delicious.
Why you’ll love this pasta recipe
This recipe teaches you the magic of everyday fast and fancy weeknight dinners. It’s impressive, full of hidden flavors and feels a little more special than a standard weeknight meal, yet it’s quick and easy enough to pull together any night of the week. Keep this recipe in your back pocket for busy days when you have just a little time to shop, because this dish turns what could have easily been a standard pasta into something crave-worthy week in and week out.
Let me guide you through the recipe with this step-by-step VIDEO.
Recipe tips
- swap peas for spinach or blanched broccoli
- use your favorite pasta shape
- swap pancetta for salted bacon
- serve with a big side salad
Storage
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: You can also freeze the pasta in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, reheat on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
More pasta, please!
Buttery Orecchiette with Crispy Pancetta and Peas
Ingredients
- 7 ounces orecchiette
- 5 ounces frozen green peas
- 5 ounces pancetta cut into small pieces or matchsticks
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 4 tbsp grated Parmesan
Bread Crumbs
- 1 ounce panko bread crumbs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot with boiling salted water. Drain, reserving ½ cup of the cooking water.
- For the breadcrumbs. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add panko and cook while constantly stirring for 4 minutes until toasted and golden. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from skillet to a plate.
- In the same skillet, heat olive oil and butter. Add pancetta, cook until crispy and golden brown, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Add garlic, cook for 2 minutes. Stir in peas and season with salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 3 minutes, stirring from time to time.
- Add cooked pasta and parmesan, toss and add a generous splash of cooking water. Stir until pasta is coated with butter sauce.
- Divide among bowls, serve with crunchy bread crumbs. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Great recipe with versatility! I was slightly short on peas so I added some corn as well (both frozen), and used cubed prosciutto instead as that was what I had on hand; it would probably be nice with chorizo as well (leaving out or decreasing the red pepper flakes).The bread crumbs add a nice texture and make it look fancy; I made my own from leftover sourdough as I didn’t have panko on hand. The spice level was perfect for two adults but if you don’t like spice or are serving kiddos, perhaps leave it out or use half.
Yay! Love hearing this! I am really glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for giving it a try!
We really enjoyed this dish. My wife went back for seconds and she hardly ever does that. I left out the red flake and doubled the recipe. I will be making this again. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Hi Robert, I’m thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try!
Delicious! I had fresh peas from a local farm and this was the perfect recipe for my daughter and I. I added the peas to the pasta pot and cooked them for 2 min and continued with the recipe. Thanks for a quick and delicious meal.
You’re welcome Lisalen!
Loved this pasta! Quick and easy and the whole family loved it. I added some sautéed onion and red pepper flakes. Would make again!
It makes me so happy to hear that Kate!
Love love love this pasta. So simple but delivers on flavour. I double the recipe and keep the breadcrumbs on the side so when we we eat leftovers we still get the crunchy element
So glad you enjoyed it Kirsten!
We had to make some subs [leftover guanciale for pancetta and manchego because we are out of parm], but this was perfect for an easy post-vacation, pre-shop meal! Love the breadcrumb topping.
So glad you enjoyed Ann! Thanks for giving this recipe a try!
Coming from a fuss-pot – this is outstanding and better than I had expected! Excellent blend of flavours, crunchy panko delish, also cheap and pretty easy. Make it with love and you’ll not regret it!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed Andy!