Welcome to your new go-to recipe for busy weeknights and satisfying family meals! This Crispy Pancetta and Sweet Pea Ziti is a delightfully simple and incredibly light pasta dish that promises to please every palate at your table. What’s more, it comes together in less than 20 minutes, making it an absolute lifesaver for those evenings when time is of the essence but flavor is non-negotiable.

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Effortless Weeknight Comfort: Crispy Pancetta and Sweet Pea Ziti

In our home, pasta isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration, a comfort, and undeniably, our family’s love language. There’s an almost magical silence that falls over the dinner table when a steaming, generously portioned bowl of pasta – especially one featuring the irresistible combination of sweet peas and savory, crispy pancetta – is served. Paired with a simple side salad and some warm, crusty garlic bread, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that encourages shared moments around the table.

What makes this particular combination so special? It’s the harmonious dance of flavors and textures. The delicate sweetness of the peas, the salty crunch of the pancetta, and just the right amount of a light, savory sauce all work in concert, allowing the true star of the recipe – the perfectly cooked pasta – to shine through. This dish proves that sometimes, less truly is more, delivering profound satisfaction without being overly heavy or complex.

The Heart of the Dish: Choosing Quality Pasta

The foundation of any great pasta dish begins with the pasta itself. For this Crispy Pancetta and Sweet Pea Ziti, I exclusively reach for Garofalo^® No. 73 Penne Mezzani Rigate. Choosing a high-quality pasta is paramount because it affects not only the texture but also how well the sauce adheres to each bite, ensuring a truly toothsome and satisfying experience.

Garofalo isn’t just any pasta brand; it’s a legacy. Established in 1789 in Gragnano, Italy – a town famously known as the homeland of pasta – Garofalo boasts over two centuries of pasta-making tradition. This rich history translates into a commitment to superior quality. Made exclusively in Italy using 100% highest-quality Durum Wheat Semolina, Garofalo pasta consistently delivers that coveted al dente bite and authentic flavor that elevates a simple weeknight meal into a gourmet experience. Its ridged surface (Rigate) is also perfect for catching every bit of the light sauce, ensuring flavor in every forkful.

Essential Ingredients for Your Pantry

The beauty of this Crispy Pancetta and Sweet Pea Ziti lies in its simplicity. A handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients are all you need to create a truly memorable meal. Focusing on quality in each component ensures that the final dish is vibrant, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. These staple items, when combined, create a symphony of tastes that is both comforting and sophisticated.

1 lb Garofalo^® No. 73 Penne Mezzani Rigate
4 ounces Pancetta, diced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 cups Frozen Sweet Peas (no need to thaw)
1 cup Parmesan and Asiago cheese, freshly grated
1/3 cup reserved pasta water
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

Simple Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Crafting this delicious pasta dish is straightforward and quick, making it ideal for even the busiest evenings. Follow these steps for a perfect Crispy Pancetta and Sweet Pea Ziti every time.

Cook the Pasta: Begin by filling a large pot with plenty of water. Bring it to a rolling boil over high heat, then add a generous pinch of salt – this is crucial for seasoning the pasta from the inside out. Add the 1 lb of Garofalo^® No. 73 Penne Mezzani Rigate and cook according to package directions, usually around 11 minutes, until al dente. Before draining, make sure to reserve 1/3 cup of the starchy pasta water. This “liquid gold” will be essential for creating the perfect light sauce.
Crisp the Pancetta: While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced 4 ounces of pancetta and cook until it’s beautifully brown and irresistibly crispy, typically about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. Once done, remove the crispy pancetta with a slotted spoon and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess fat. Keep the delicious drippings in the skillet – they’re packed with flavor!
Build the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the pancetta drippings in the skillet and allow it to melt. Stir in 3 cloves of minced garlic and 1 finely chopped shallot, sautéing until they are softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Next, add the 2 cups of frozen sweet peas, the 1 cup of grated Parmesan and Asiago cheese, the reserved 1/3 cup of pasta water, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir everything together gently until the cheese has melted and the sauce has emulsified into a light, creamy coating for the peas and pancetta.
Combine and Serve: Drain the cooked pasta and immediately add it to the skillet with the sauce ingredients. Toss gently to ensure every piece of pasta is coated. Stir in the crispy pancetta. Serve the Crispy Pancetta and Sweet Pea Ziti immediately. For an optional bright, zesty finish that beautifully complements the sweet peas and salty pancetta, serve with fresh lemon wedges on the side, allowing each person to squeeze a little citrus over their portion as desired.

Why This Dish Will Become a Family Favorite

There are countless reasons to fall in love with Crispy Pancetta and Sweet Pea Ziti, but its standout quality is the delicate balance it strikes. This dish is very lightly “sauced,” meaning it’s not heavily covered in thick tomato-based or overly creamy liquids. This intentional restraint allows the natural flavors of the high-quality pasta, the vibrant sweet peas, and the rich, salty pancetta to truly shine through. Each bite offers a toothsome texture from the perfectly cooked Garofalo pasta, highlighted by the bursts of sweetness and satisfying crunch. This “less is more” philosophy not only makes the dish incredibly simple and elegant but also reflects a traditional Italian approach to pasta, where the pasta itself is often the star.

Bringing traditional Italian flavors and cooking principles to your family dinner table is always a wonderful idea. Food has an incredible power to bring people together, fostering connections and creating cherished memories. In Italy, pancetta is often used sparingly in dishes, soups, or even just warmed and served with bread, precisely to add a profound depth of savory, salty, and often slightly smoky flavor. In this pasta recipe, the salty crispness of the pancetta provides the perfect counterpoint and balance to the natural sweetness of the peas, creating a flavor profile that is both comforting and irresistibly delicious.

Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions

Elevate your Crispy Pancetta and Sweet Pea Ziti experience with these thoughtful serving suggestions:

Crusty Ciabatta Bread: You can never go wrong with a fresh, crusty ciabatta. Its porous texture is ideal for soaking up every last drop of the delicious, lightly sauced goodness left on your plate. It’s the ultimate way to ensure no flavor is left behind!
Simple Green Salad: A crisp, refreshing green salad is the perfect accompaniment. Dress it simply with a high-quality olive oil, a splash of red wine vinegar or balsamic, a pinch of salt, and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Its lightness provides a lovely contrast to the pasta.
Light-Bodied Wine: If you’re pairing with wine, opt for something light and crisp that won’t overpower the delicate flavors of the dish. A chilled Pinot Grigio or a dry Rosé would be an excellent choice.

Common Questions About Crispy Pancetta and Sweet Pea Ziti

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about this delightful pasta dish:

What if I only have canned peas?
- While this recipe calls for frozen peas (which tend to have a fresher taste and better texture), you can absolutely use canned peas if that’s what you have on hand. Just be sure to drain them well before adding them to the skillet.
I can’t find pancetta, can I use bacon?
- Yes, bacon is a perfectly acceptable substitute for pancetta. Keep in mind that bacon is a smoked meat, so your finished dish will have a noticeably smokier flavor compared to the milder, cured notes of pancetta. Adjust to your preference!
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
- To make this recipe vegetarian, simply omit the pancetta. You can add a tablespoon or two more of olive oil at the beginning to sauté the garlic and shallots. For an added savory depth, consider adding sun-dried tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms.
How should I store leftovers?
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, you might want to add a splash of water or chicken broth to help loosen the sauce and rehydrate the pasta.

Delicious Recipe Variations to Explore

This Crispy Pancetta and Sweet Pea Ziti recipe is wonderfully versatile, offering plenty of room for customization to suit your taste or what you have available:

Add a Touch of Heat: If you enjoy a little kick, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes after you add the butter and before the garlic and shallots. The heat will infuse beautifully into the oil.
Explore Different Pasta Shapes: While Penne Mezzani Rigate is fantastic, feel free to experiment with other Garofalo pasta shapes. Spaghetti, fettuccine, orecchiette, or even farfalle would work wonderfully and absorb the light sauce beautifully.
Change Up the Cheeses: The Parmesan and Asiago blend offers a sharp, nutty flavor, but don’t hesitate to experiment. Fontina cheese will add a meltier, creamier texture, while Pecorino Romano will bring a sharper, saltier kick. A mix of cheeses can also create a unique profile.
Incorporate Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or mint at the end can add an extra layer of freshness and aroma to the dish.
Add Some Greens: Wilt in a handful of fresh spinach or arugula at the very end, just before serving, for an extra boost of greens.

Crispy Pancetta and Sweet Pea Ziti

Yield:
8 servings

Cook Time:
20 minutes

Total Time:
20 minutes

This Crispy Pancetta and Sweet Pea Ziti is a simple and light pasta recipe, that’ll please the whole family and is ready in less than 20 minutes.

Ingredients

1 lb Garofalo® No. 73 Penne Mezzani Rigate
4 ounces Pancetta
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 cups Frozen Sweet Peas
1 cup Parmesan and Asiago cheese
1/3 cup reserved pasta water
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Into a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add in a pinch of salt and pasta and cook for 11 minutes. Reserve 1/3 cup of the salty pasta water.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, over medium heat, cook pancetta until brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove pancetta to a paper towel-lined plate.
Add butter to pancetta drippings and melt. Stir in garlic and shallot and saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Add in peas, cheese, 1/3 cup pasta water, olive oil and pepper. Stir to combine.
Serve with lemon wedges, if desired for a punch of citrus flavors that pairs nicely with the sweet peas and salty pancetta.

Recommended Products

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Cuisinart Boxed Grater, Black, One Size
Qimh Collapsible Colander Set of 3 Round Silicone Kitchen Strainer Set – 2 pcs 4 Quart and 1 pcs 2 Quart- Perfect for Draining Pasta, Vegetable and fruit (green,blue, purple)
Rachael Ray Brights Hard Anodized Nonstick Saute Pan / Frying Pan / Fry Pan – 5 Quart, Gray

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1 serving

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 433Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 552mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 5gSugar: 9gProtein: 19g

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We’d love to hear from you! What are some of your family’s favorite pasta traditions? Share your stories and tips in the comments below.

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