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Final orichiette pasta with peas and pancetta

Orecchiette Pasta with Peas and Pancetta

This Orecchiette Pasta with Peas and Pancetta is a beautiful dish. The kale, peas, and lemon add brightness, while the pancetta and parmesan are savoury and salty. All these beautiful flavours are brought together with the reserved water which creates a silky sauce when combined with all the other ingredients. This meal is delicious, healthy, and hearty, and best of all it all comes together in under 30 minutes.
5 from 2 votes
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Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: kale, lemon, orecchiette, pancetta, parmesan, pasta, peas, quick meals
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 5 people
Calories: 631kcal
Author: Anneke Silva

Equipment

  • Heavy Bottomed Pan
  • Pot
  • Lemon Juicer
  • Wooden spoon
  • Food Processor, optional

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
  • 150 grams Pancetta finely diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic finely diced
  • 1 cup Parmesan grated
  • 1/2 cup Sweet peas
  • 1/2 cup Pasta water reserved
  • 1/2 Lemon juiced
  • 1 box Orecchiette Pasta (~500g)
  • 4 cups Baby kale
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Put a large pot of boiling water on, then add the orecchiette.
  • While the orecchiette is cooking, heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan on medium heat until glistening, 2 min.
    While the orecchiette is cooking, heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan on medium heat until glistening, 2 min.
  • Add the pancetta and cook for 5 min.
    Add the pancetta and cook for 5 min.
  • Dice the garlic and add it to the pan. Cook for 1 min.
    Dice the garlic and add it to the pan. Cook for 1 min.
  • Add four cups of baby kale and cook down, 5 min.
    Add four cups of baby kale and cook down, 5 min.
  • If you'd like, pulse the mixture in a food processor a few times to create a finer texture (my kids prefer this).
    If you'd like, pulse the mixture in a food processor a few times to create a finer texture (my kids prefer this).
  • Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  • Add cooked pasta, grated parmesan, peas, reserved pasta water, and lemon juice to the pan.
    Add cooked pasta, grated parmesan, peas, reserved pasta water, and lemon juice to the pan.
  • Add the pancetta mixture and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
    Add the pancetta mixture and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.

Nutrition

Calories: 631kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 547mg | Potassium: 599mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 5635IU | Vitamin C: 76mg | Calcium: 348mg | Iron: 3mg