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Bowl of pasta.

Quick & Easy Pantry Pasta

5 from 2 votes
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Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Pasta - whatever you have on hand I used a combination of lumache and penne rigate
  • 1-2 cups Frozen Peas
  • Pancetta - or bacon, sausage, whatever you have on hand - cut up in small pieces I used pancetta
  • 2 pinches Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • 1/2 cup Grated Dry Jack Cheese, plus more to finish Parmesan or Romano work too
  • 2 tbsp Flat Leaf Parsley, minced If you have it, I did not.

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of well salted water to boil Add pasta and cook according to package directions.
  • Add peas during the last 3-4 minutes.
  • While pasta is cooking, render pancetta until slightly crispy. Drain on paper towel.
  • Reserve about 1/2 cup pasta water. Then drain pasta & peas and return it to hot, dry pot.
  • Add red pepper flakes, salt, olive oil, cheese, pancetta and gently stir until well combined. If not saucy enough add a little pasta water ... even a pat of butter.
  • Spoon into bowls and garnish with more cheese and parsley, if you have it.