Shells with Pancetta and Peas is the easiest dinner you can make when you don't really feel like cooking but are starving to death! It's simple, yet delicious and definitely filling.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Total Time30 minutesmins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Dinner, Pasta, Quick and Easy
Servings: 6
Author: Jonathan Melendez
Equipment
Pot
Colander
Ingredients
1poundsmall pasta shells
1tablespoonolive oil
1/4pounddiced pancetta
1large shallot finelydiced
2garlic clovesminced
1cupcreme fraiche or mascarpone cheese
1teaspoonKosher salt
1teaspoonblack pepper
1cupfrozen peas
1/4cupfresh mint leaveschopped
1/4cupfresh basil leaveschopped
1/3cupfresh grated parmesan cheese
fresh lemon slicesfor serving
Instructions
Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil, and salt generously. Stir in the pasta and cook until al dente, according to the package directions. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water.
Set a large pot over medium-high heat with the olive oil. Once hot, add in the pancetta. Cook until browned and crispy, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Once the fat has rendered and the pancetta is crispy, transfer to a small dish with a slotted spoon. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of grease from the pot. Stir in the shallot and garlic and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
Stir in the creme fraiche and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cooked shells, peas, mint, basil, the browned pancetta and parmesan. Give it all a big stir and cook over low for 1 to 2 minutes. If the sauce appears to be too thick, stir in enough of the remaining reserved pasta water to develop a loose sauce. Give it a taste and adjust seasoning accordingly. Serve with parmesan on top and a wedge of lemon. Enjoy!