Pasta with rocket and pancetta: a quick and tasty first course

If you have little time for dinner or lunch, you can only orient yourself on quick and easy recipes like this pasta with rocket and pancetta.

Pasta with rocket and pancetta is a delicious and creamy first course that will satisfy everyone’s tastes, young and old. It is really done in a few minutes, just the cooking time of the pasta itself and the result is truly extraordinary . What makes it so creamy is certainly the rocket pesto that is prepared in no time with a simple mixer or hand blender. Let’s see, then, how to prepare the recipe step by step and some delicious variations.

Preparation for rocket and pancetta pasta recipe

1. The first thing to do is to fill a pot with water and put it to boil.
2. While the water is boiling, prepare the rocket pesto. Then, carefully wash the rocket , dry it and put it in a mixer together with extra virgin olive oil and salt.
3. Blend everything until you get a creamy pesto , but not too liquid.
4. At this point, the water should have reached a boil, therefore, add salt and drop the pasta. In the meantime that the pasta is cooking, cut the smoked pancetta into strips that are not too thin.
5. Equip yourself with a high-sided pan and pour a drizzle of oil and a clove of garlic into it. Sizzle it and add the bacon.
6. Also add the rocket pesto prepared previously and cook just for a minute and turn off. Drain the pasta al dente and pour it directly into the pan.
7. Stir to mix all the ingredients well and, if needed , add a little cooking water .
8. Your pasta is ready. If you prefer, add a few flakes of parmesan on the plate for an excellent pasta with parmesan rocket and pancetta.

Fanciful variations of pancetta rucola pasta: with cherry tomatoes, mushrooms or cream

1. For a tasty variant, when it is time to fry the garlic and bacon, add some tomatoes, the dish will certainly be more colorful . Drain the pasta al dente, stir in the rocket pesto and serve.
2. Alternatively, you can also add mushrooms, about 200 g. You can use the dry or fresh ones of your choice. Once ready, drain the pasta and pour it into the pan together with the rocket pesto, mix and serve . your pasta with bacon, rocket and mushrooms will be delicious!
3. If you want to make this dish even more creamy, prepare a variant with rocket, cream and bacon: add 100 ml of cooking cream to the rocket pesto, cook for a few minutes and serve.

storage

Pasta with rocket and pancetta pesto can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 days and reheated if necessary, but it is also excellent served cold.

Also try the recipe for chickpea and rocket pasta !