Crispy Pancetta Sweet Pea Orecchiette Pasta tossed with a creamy lemon herb Goat Cheese Sauce! This pasta recipe is comfort food to the max!
There are times when a good creamy pasta just hits the spot! Ya know.
Usually on one of those terrible horrible not so good very bad days … comfort food and wine is calling my name.
My comfort food of choice is pasta, I’m not so much a pizza or hamburger girl. Don’t get me wrong I’ll have those too! But given the choice, a big bowl of pasta does it for me every time!
Whenever I’m making a creamy pasta, obviously cheese of some sort is involved but I’ve learned that goat cheese and water can make a pretty darn creamy pasta and the flavor is outstanding!
No need to add butter, heavy cream and loads of cheese to have a comfort food dish! Just 4 oz. of goat cheese and 1 cup of water and your set!
The inspiration for todays Pancetta Sweet Pea Orecchiette Pasta came from my mom. Around Christmas time she made an amazing pasta dish with Orecchiette in it that she learned at Le Cordon Bleu. Ya’ll I seriously had her make it twice in like 4 days… its that good! I think part of the reason I liked it so much was the actual pasta – the Orecchiette!
Orecchiette, have you tried it before? They kinda look like small ears. Why is this important? Because that small bowl or dip in the pasta holds all the little bits of deliciousness. In this case, cubes of crispy pancetta, sweet peas, and a creamy goat cheese sauce.
I’ve actually been working on this recipe for a while, the first time I made it it was good but it tasted a little bland. The second time I added some fresh lemon juice and fresh thyme (from my garden :)) and wowza!
The thyme and lemon combination totally puts this pasta dish over the top!
Ps.. fun healthy tip. Adding citrus to a dish will enhance the flavors! I usually add citrus (lemon, orange, or lime juice) before I add more salt – healthier way to make the dish taste more bold in flavor.
This Pancetta Sweet Pea Orecchiette Pasta is perfect for a family weeknight meal because it takes less than 30 minutes to make but its also fancy enough to wow some guys on the weekend! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Bon Appetite!
Pancetta and Sweet Pea Orecchiette Pasta with Creamy Goat Cheese Sauce
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta, Kid-Friendly, Easy Dinner Recipes, Pork
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Crispy Pancetta Sweet Pea Orecchiette Pasta tossed with a creamy lemon herb Goat Cheese Sauce! This pasta recipe is comfort food to the max!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. of orecchiette pasta
- 1 1/3 cup of frozen sweet peas
- 4 oz. of goat cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 4 oz. of cubed pancetta
- 1/2 cup of diced red onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of fresh thyme, roughly chopped
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 cup of cooking water from pasta
Instructions
- Heat a medium skillet to medium high heat, add olive oil and pancetta. Saute until pancetta is slightly browned, about 4-5 minutes.
- Remove from pan and place on a plate.
- Add onions to pan and slightly caramelize, about 5-7 minutes. Add in garlic and saute for 30 seconds, add in fresh thyme. Continue to cook for another minute. Set aside.
- Bring a big pot of water to a boil, add in orecchiette pasta and cook till al dente. (according to directions on package)
- Add in peas for the last 2 minutes of pasta cook time.
- Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking liquid and drain the rest of the pot.
- Add pasta and peas to a big bowl, along with caramelized onions, pancetta, goat cheese, lemon juice, and cooking liquid.
- Gently toss the pasta until the goat cheese is melted and completely combined.
- Serve.
Filed Under:
IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, BE SURE TO SNAP A PIC AND HASHTAG IT#JOYFULHEALTHYEATS. I LOVE SEEING WHAT YOU MAKE!
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34 comments on “Pancetta Sweet Pea Orecchiette Pasta with Creamy Goat Cheese Sauce”
My kids are not goat cheese eaters (or feta)…what would be a good substitute? Cream cheese? Same quantity?
yup, cream cheese would be perfect š
Oh I’m right there with ya. I would totally have a bowl of pasta before pizza and a burger. This dish is seriously amazing!
pasta lovers unite! š glad we are on the same page, and you so need to try this pasta girl… you’ll love it!
Pancetta is my favorite. It always makes a dish just a little more fancy and tastes amazing. Plus who doesn’t love pasta?
Its totally mine too, whenever I’m struggling with what to add I usually go to pancetta and it does the trick. š
Oh good God! That close-up shot? I was ready to lick my screen!! Thanks to your Mom for the dang good pasta! š
haha.. thanks girl!
Your mom went to cooking school?! If so, that’s so awesome!! š
Yup, at the age of 57 and has been acing all her classes at Le Cordon Bleu! So proud of her! š
This looks over the top amazing! My boys will flilp over this recipe.
Thanks Amy! Your boys will so love it!
I have a love affair with goat cheese. This is totally happening so very soon. Pinned!
haha.. me too! Kinda obsessed with the stuff! Thanks for the pin sweet friend! Miss you!
oh man, Krista, this is the ultimate comfort food!
Thanks girl!
Orecchiette with goat cheese sauce, I’m slowly dying for this… š
haha.. I don’t blame ya girl! I was dying as I was eating it… sooo good!
Oh my word, this pasta dish is AMAZING! Pasta is my comfort food too! I think italian food is food for my soul. Just love the stuff. I love all the simple ingredients of this recipe. Often times I get so overwhelmed on what to make during the week, I need simple recipes to whip up when my brain is mentally fried, so this one is a keeper for me! Great recipe!
Simple is the way to go! And to be honest, sometimes its tastes way better than the complicated ones.
This recipe looks like total perfection! Can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Becky! You’re gonna love it!
Mmmm creamy pasta is always a good idea!
yes it is. š
I love the addition of lemon and thyme! As a huge pasta fan, I am always looking for awesome recipes like this that use amazing flavors to jazz it up! Cannot wait to try! š
Thanks Michelle! The lemon and thyme are the best part of this dish, leaves a fresh taste to the pasta!
Krista,
This pasta looks delicious, creamy, and an excellent use for the fresh peas that are slowly, ever so slowly, climbing up the trellis in my back yard.
I am a patient person, gardeners have to be, and I can plot and plan and seek out orecchiette pasta and goat cheese while I wait.
Thanks!
hurray!! Best day ever when those things finally bloom for you! I love sweet peas!
Krista – This is exactly the type of pasta that I love – simple to make but elegantly presented and with a few ingredients (like the pancetta and sweet peas) that make it so much more than just pasta and sauce. It reminds me of “straw and hay,” one of my favorite creamy pasta dishes.
ohh.. thanks so much Laura! You are so sweet!
That pasta looks fantastic! I love how creamy it is – perfect!
Thanks Stacey!
This looks delicious. I have sweet peas growing in my garden and this recipe will be perfect for when they are ready to be picked. Yum!
Oh… love that you have them growing in your garden right now!!! I love Sweet Peas, delicious!