Orechiette with Peas and Bacon

When you are busy with work, family, errands and the rest of your life, it is always a welcome treat to find a quick and easy dinner recipe. This Orechiette is fast, simple and delicious and you will most likely find the ingredients in your pantry right now (go look!). It takes less then 30 minutes to prepare and, even better, barely any time to clean up.

Orechiette with Peas and Bacon (serves 2)

1 cup frozen peas
4 slices thick cut bacon or pancheta
1 small onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tbsp butter
1 (large cup) grated parmesan
Salt and pepper to taste

In a saute pan, cook the bacon until slightly brown on medium-high heat. Chop bacon and set it aside. Drain all but roughly 2 tbsp bacon fat from the pan. In a separate pot bring water, olive oil and a healthy handful of salt to a boil. Add your Orechiette and cook for 10 minutes, or until almost al dente. While water is boiling, add chopped onion to the bacon grease and cook until soft at medium heat. Add the garlic and cook just long enough to take the edge off, about 1 minute. Add your peas and bacon and turn the heat to low. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water. When you are ready to serve, add the pasta, butter, cheese and 1/2 – 1 cup of cooking water to the sauce. Stir until all ingredients are well combined and cheese is melted, about two minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.