• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Easy Italian Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Traditional Italian Dinner Recipes

    Pasta Piselli e Pancetta

    by kisitalian

    Pasta piselli e pancetta (pasta with peas and pancetta) is a very easy and delicious classic Italian dish that is great to eat in Spring when peas are fresh and in season but also anytime of year since frozen peas work so well in this recipe.

    pasta pisselli e pancetta
    Jump to Recipe

    About this peas and pancetta pasta:

    This pasta piselli e pancetta is a simple classic dish of Italy that consists of only a few ingredients: pasta, pancetta, peas and a topping of freshly grated Parmesan. It is believed to have originated in the Naples area as just a simple pasta and peas dish but over time it evolved to have pancetta. It is simple and delicious!

    This pancetta and peas pasta makes a great quick meal to always have on hand because it works well with frozen cubed pancetta and frozen peas. When we make this pasta, we grab the pancetta and peas straight from the freezer and add it to a sauté pan with olive oil and dinner is ready in no time.

    pasta with pancetta and peas closeup

    Ingredients you will need:

    1. Pasta
    2. Peas (fresh or frozen)
    3. Pancetta (cubed)
    4. Olive Oil
    5. Garlic
    6. Freshly grated Parmesan
    7. Kosher salt
    pancetta and peas pasta
    Pasta Piselli e Pancetta

    Steps to make this recipe:

    This pasta with peas and pancetta is very easy and only requires you to sauté the pancetta then add the peas and garlic into the mix to gently cook.

    Here is what that looks like below.

    sautéd pancetta for pasta
    1. Sauté pancetta until crispy.
    peas and pancetta pasta
    2. Add peas and garlic and gently cook.

    After the pancetta and peas are cooked you just need to add the cooked pasta and a little reserved pasta water. This reserved pasta water helps make a light sauce for the pasta.

    pasta piselli e pancetta

    Tips for making this recipe:

    • Make sure to grab a good ladle full of pasta water right before you drain the pasta. This salty, starchy water will help make a sauce when it is mixed with the peas and pancetta. This is a classic way to make a sauce with Italian dishes which you may have seen us do with our angel hair with tomatoes . Do not skip this step!
    • Make sure to properly salt your pasta water. We like adding a good handful of kosher salt.
    • If you can, try to find good quality Parmigiano Reggiano. This makes the most delicious topping for this pasta.

    More Pasta Recipes You May Like

    • Creamy Kale Pasta
    • Angel Hair Pasta with Tomatoes and Herbs
    • Easy Penne alla Vodka
    • Lasagna al Forno
    • Rigatoni Amatriciana
    pasta piselli e pancetta

    Pasta Piselli e Pancetta

    A delicious and simple Italian pasta made with peas and pancetta that makes a great quick meal.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 656 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb Pasta Bowtie or penne work best
    • 4 ounces pancetta diced
    • 2 cups peas fresh or frozen
    • 3 cloves of garlic diced
    • 2 tablespoon Olive oil any kind will do
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for the pasta water
    • ½ cup Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
    • reserved pasta water

    Instructions
     

    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
    • While you are waiting for the water to boil, pre-heat a large sauté pan over medium heat.
    • Add the olive oil.
      2 tablespoon Olive oil
    • Now add the pancetta and cook until crispy.
      4 ounces pancetta
    • Reduce heat to medium low and add the peas and garlic.
      2 cups peas, 3 cloves of garlic
    • Add kosher salt and cook the peas with the pancetta for a few minutes then reduce heat to low.
      1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • Once the pasta water is boiling, add a good handful of kosher salt to the water then add your pasta.
      1 lb Pasta
    • Cook according to the manufacturers instructions for al dente.
    • Once pasta is al dente, scoop a mug full of pasta water and set aside then drain the pasta.
    • Add half of the pasta water to the peas and pancetta then add the cooked pasta.
      reserved pasta water
    • Mix around for 1-2 minutes letting the pasta drink up the flavors from the peas and pancetta.
    • Check if the pasta looks dry at this point. If it does, add a little more of the reserved pasta water.
    • Plate into individual bowls and top with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
      ½ cup Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano

    Nutrition

    Calories: 656kcalCarbohydrates: 97gProtein: 27gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 1043mgPotassium: 508mgFiber: 8gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 679IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 198mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Traditional Italian Dinner Recipes

    • rigatoni amatriciana in pan
      Rigatoni Amatriciana (Roman Amatriciana)
    • cooking angel hair pasta
      How To Cook Angel Hair Pasta
    • frozen basil in olive oil in cubes in a bowl
      Freezing Basil In Olive Oil
    • dried lasagna noodles
      How To Cook Lasagna Noodles

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Bill

      September 01, 2022 at 6:35 pm

      5 stars
      Very easy and tasted amazing

      Reply
    2. Sammy

      November 04, 2022 at 9:52 pm

      5 stars
      Very easy and everyone loved it!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to

    Keeping It Simple Italian.

    We are on a mission to share easy Italian recipes. From easy Italian recipes from Italy to Italian American recipes brought over and adapted by Italian immigrants.

    read more:

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Copyright © 2020 KeepingItSimpleItalian