15 Pancetta Pastas When You Need to Treat Yourself

If you’ve unwittingly been substituting bacon for pancetta all these years, don’t fret. Both bacon and pancetta are made from cured pork belly, which leaves them with that distinct briny flavor, but there's one major difference that can change the flavor profile of your dish if you aren’t careful: Bacon is smoked after it's cured. While that makes it great in breakfast casseroles, it doesn’t infuse dishes with the elegant taste that a delicately aromatic pancetta does. Did we mention that you can also slice pancetta paper-thin and enjoy it without cooking? You can’t do that with bacon! Pancetta is Italy's gift to the world; the proof is in the dishes. Here are 15 pancetta pastas to start your journey.

Spaghetti With Pancetta and Vongole: Let the good vibes flow with a big pot of this pasta. Filled with vongole (AKA clams) and scented with pancetta, this dish will remind you of your favorite seaside vacations. Just keep an eye on the timing — the secret to success is to not overcook those clams! (via The Design Files)

Creamy Leek and Pancetta Pappardelle: This dish is the next best thing to a long winter nap. It's filled with heavy cream, crispy pancetta, and caramelized leeks, so you almost think the fluffy pile of Parmigiano Reggiano that completes it is overkill. But then you realize that a pillow of shredded cheese is always the best thing to top off any good Italian meal. (via A Beautiful Plate)

Spring Pasta With Prosciutto, Peas, Chicken, and Mushrooms: When you want a creamy sauce to combat the gray, dreary days but can’t stand the idea of a super heavy meal, the answer is to pair it with peas. The combination of peas and pancetta is fresh and spring-like while still being comforting. Be cautious with the sauce application though; a heavy hand will ruin the whole dish. (via Everyday Occasions)

Penne Pasta With Cauliflower and Pancetta: Need an easy dinner but want the complex flavor of gourmet food? This recipe is the best of both worlds! When you slow-roast cauliflower, it becomes sweet as it caramelizes in olive oil. The subtle addition of crispy pancetta into the penne pasta makes this dish five stars. (via foodiecrush)

Ricotta Pillows in Creamy Pancetta Tomato Sauce: Perfectly tender pillows of ricotta-filled pasta languish in a warm bath of pancetta-scented tomato sauce. If you know someone whose love language is food, make sure to offer them a serving. You won’t regret the result. (via Yes to Yolks)

Spaghetti Carbonara: Thanks to our friend pancetta, all you need is five ingredients and 15 minutes to make the most satisfying pasta dish you’ve had all season. Pro tip: Make sure that your noodles are steaming hot when you crack in the egg so that it blends properly into a creamy sauce. (via Damn Delicious)

Roasted Cauliflower and Mushroom Carbonara: Classic carbonara gets a quick upgrade from the addition of caramelized cauliflower and roasted mushrooms. Thick, creamy, and full of good-for-you deliciousness, this dish hits the spot when you're hungry. (via Closet Cooking)

Classic Spaghetti All’Amatriciana: Just when you thought you were too grown-up for plain old pasta with red sauce, it’s back to show you that it never goes out of style. It turns out that to really jazz things up, all you need are San Marzano tomatoes and a few slices of pancetta. (via A Beautiful Plate)

Carbonara Mac 'n’ Cheese Souffle: This is what mac n’ cheese was meant to be. It’s fluffy, yummy, gooey, cheesy, and creamy. Oh yeah, and there's also a huge helping of crispy pancetta mixed in for good measure. (via Jo Cooks)

Pancetta Pumpkin Baked Pasta: Colder weather clearly calls for pumpkin-y flavors. The combination of earthy pumpkin and sizzling pancetta makes for a succulent pasta dish that's oh-so-satisfying. (via Aimee Mars)

Pappardelle Pasta With Pancetta and Burrata: This recipe comes from a blogger who reveres bacon above all else, so you know that having pancetta featured instead means that this dish is top-notch. In fact, it's so good that it needs no sauce — just pancetta and burrata are used. That doesn’t make it any less yummy. (via Just a Little Bit of Bacon)

Chicken and Bacon Pasta With Spinach and Tomatoes in a Garlic Cream Sauce: A cream-based sauce does wonders to bring out the subtle flavors of pancetta and garlic. You just have to be sure that you use proper proportions (i.e. loads of pancetta). You won’t regret using a heavy hand. (via Julia’s Album)

Orecchiette With Wild Mushrooms, Sage, and Pancetta: Few things are cozier than a bowl full of pasta. Especially when that pasta is homemade and sprinkled with pancetta — then things get really cozy. If you’re new to homemade pasta, this dish is the perfect place to start because no matter how your pasta looks, it’s guaranteed to taste great when it’s covered in mushrooms, sage, and pancetta. (via The Gouda Life)

One-Pan Tortellini With Pancetta: Quick and easy, this dish is full of flavor, and it only requires one pot to cook (and to clean up!). There’s not much more you could ask for in an ideal weeknight meal. (via Marilena’s Kitchen)

Linguini With Pancetta, Mushrooms, and Garlic: There's a lot to be said for a pasta recipe with only a few ingredients. Letting each individual flavor shine makes for a simple yet flavorful dish — particularly when one of the ingredients is pancetta. (via Salt & Lavender)