Description
Pasta with Fava Beans and Pancetta is a rustic and satisfying Italian dish that celebrates the vibrant flavors of spring. Tender fava beans, crisp pancetta, and a hint of Parmesan create a simple yet luxurious sauce that coats each strand of pasta. Perfect for a comforting, seasonal meal! (Keywords: Pasta with Fava Beans, Pancetta pasta recipe, Italian spring pasta)
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 12 oz spaghetti, linguine, or short pasta like orecchiette
- 1 cup fresh fava beans, shelled and peeled
- 4 oz pancetta, diced
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh mint leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Blanch the fava beans in the boiling water for about 1 minute, then transfer them to an ice bath. Peel the outer skins if needed.
- In the same boiling water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the pancetta and cook until crispy, about 4-5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the fava beans and sauté gently for 2 minutes to warm through.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a silky sauce.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh mint if using, and serve immediately with extra Parmesan.
Notes
- Fresh fava beans are best in spring but frozen fava beans work if fresh aren’t available.
- For a richer sauce, add a small knob of butter along with the pasta water.
- Mint adds a refreshing contrast, but it’s optional.
Nutrition
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
