Spaghetti Tossed with Peas Onions and Pancetta

Spaghetti Tossed with Peas, Onions, and Pancetta is a simple but exquisite dish. Its sauce is made with only extra virgin olive oil, frozen peas, chopped onion, and pancetta. This dish is very light and delicate tasting, and it’s ready in less than 25 minutes.  

 

A Meal That’s Truly Sublime…

While this spaghetti tossed with peas, onions, and pancetta is simple, the result is absolutely fabulous! It’s a meal that’s satisfying and delicious—truly sublime!

The secret to its amazing flavors is due to our favorite Italian bacon, pancetta, and, of course, good quality extra virgin olive oil.

What You’ll Need for Spaghetti Tossed with Peas, Onions and Pancetta… (with some affiliate links)

• extra virgin olive oil 
• onion 
• crushed red pepper
• cubed, already diced pancetta
• frozen petite or baby peas
• water and vegetable broth
• fresh parsley
• optional: some butter
• grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and extra at the table
• 1/2 to 3/4 pound of spaghetti or gluten-free spaghetti

 

How To Make This Spaghetti Dish?

For this recipe, there are 4 easy steps to follow:

1.  First, start by sautéing the chopped onion in a skillet along with some olive oil. 

2.  Next, add some crushed red pepper, and pancetta.

3.  Third, the peas go in, along with some water, and broth and simmer for about 15 minutes.  This creates a very quick and light sauce. 

4.  Finally, the spaghetti is boiled until al-dente, and then it’s transferred and gets tossed with the peas and pancetta mixture.  Then serve.

Cook’s Notes and Tips:

• No need for any creams.  The sauce is finished off with some grated parmesan cheese and a little butter to create a light cream sauce and a creamy effect without adding a ton of fat and calories. 
• Use only good quality extra virgin olive oil. It’s one of the main ingredients that gives great flavor to this entire dish.  The label for “extra virgin olive oil” should read “Product of Italy”  ….and not just “packed in Italy.”
• Our mom always uses salty pasta water to create the sauce, but I added a splash of vegetable broth to give this sauce more depth of flavor. 

FAQ’s

1. What is the difference between olive oil that is labeled “Product of Italy” and “Packed” in Italy?

• When looking for olive oils, keep in mind that there is a huge difference in “the quality” of olive oil rather than quantity. 
• The olives have to come from Italy and not from other foreign countries, which is how some olive oil brands process their oil.
• If the label reads “packed in Italy” or “packed in Greece,” there’s nothing wrong with those olive oils, but they are not the best. And you will notice the difference in taste and flavor.

2. What is the difference between pancetta and bacon?

• Although they both come from the belly of the pig, the main difference between pancetta and bacon is that bacon is smoked and pancetta is salt-cured and dried.
• Pancetta is light pink with a dense, silky texture, and nutty but salty flavor. Bacon has a smoky flavor.

3. Can we omit the pancetta?

Yes, you can. If you prefer, you can omit the pancetta, but you will need to season the peas with additional salt to taste.

4. How to reheat leftovers?

We prefer to reheat leftovers in the microwave. If you don’t have one, you can easily toss leftovers in a skillet and on the stovetop, and reheat this dish on low heat, for a few minutes.

An Easy Meal…

I bet everyone will enjoy this dish, even your littlest, fussiest eaters will devour it. The only thing needed is to serve it with more grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese at the table, and let everyone help themselves. 

And, of course, a glass of wine wouldn’t hurt either.  It’s a dish that’s perfect to serve as an “easy dinner” and on meatless Mondays!  

This dish gives me great pleasure every time I serve it to my family, simply because I’m happy they’re eating vegetables with one of their favorite foods – and that is spaghetti!  

Try this recipe!  You won’t be disappointed. 

Buon Appetit!

More Tasty Pasta with Veggies… try these! 

• Zucchini Tomato Sauce over Fusilli Pasta.
• Spaghetti with Wild Mushrooms, Cognac and Truffle Oil.
• Pasta with Creamy Cauliflower.
• Spaghetti Squash with Tomato Sauce.
• Spaghetti with Zucchini (alla Nerano)
• Bow Tie Pasta with Red Yellow and Orange Peppers.
• Pasta with Italian Squash or Calabaza Squash.
• Spaghetti with Roasted Eggplant, Tomatoes, and Mozzarella

Any questions?  Please, ask away!  And, if you make this recipe, let us know and leave a comment below!  We’d love to hear from you.  It not only helps those who read your comments but it helps us too.

This recipe is original and adapted from our beautiful mom. Originally published August 2015, updated March 2021.

Happy and Healthy Cooking!  🙂

Thanks for stopping by!  

 xo Anna and Liz