Description
A rich, velvety one-pot creamy alfredo pasta featuring crispy pancetta and fresh parmesan, ready in just 20 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound penne or rigatoni
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 ounces pancetta, diced
- 1.5 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: 2 cups broccoli florets
- Optional: 2 large handfuls spinach
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced pancetta and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove pancetta with a slotted spoon, leaving rendered fat in the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the fat. Stir constantly for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Add dry pasta, Italian seasoning, and half of the parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and ensure pasta is submerged.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover with a lid and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring every 3-4 minutes to prevent sticking, until pasta is al dente.
- Remove lid and simmer uncovered for 1-2 minutes if needed to reduce liquid. Remove pan from heat.
- Stir in remaining parmesan cheese gradually until melted and sauce is glossy. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.
- Return crispy pancetta to the pan and toss gently. Serve immediately topped with extra parmesan and black pepper.
Notes
Do not overcook the pasta as it continues to cook in the hot sauce. Always add cheese off the heat to prevent a grainy texture. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of hot water or broth. If too thin, simmer longer uncovered.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 780
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
Keywords: one-pot pasta, creamy alfredo, easy dinner, pancetta pasta, quick meals, weeknight dinner, gluten-free option