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This luxurious pasta dish brings together crispy pancetta, tender asparagus, and perfectly al dente penne, all tossed in a light cream sauce. It’s quick enough for a weeknight, but elegant enough to impress guests.

🍴 Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 6 oz pancetta, diced
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

🔥 Instructions

Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne until just shy of al dente. Add asparagus during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.

Crisp the Pancetta:
While pasta cooks, sauté pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.

Sauté the Garlic:
Add minced garlic to the pan and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to brown it.

Make the Sauce:
Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Add reserved pasta water a bit at a time to loosen the sauce if needed.

Combine Everything:
Add drained pasta and asparagus to the skillet along with the pancetta. Toss to coat evenly. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon zest if using.

Garnish and Serve:
Sprinkle with chopped parsley and a bit more Parmesan. Serve warm with crusty bread or a green salad.

📦 Amazon Must-Haves to Help You Make the Best Penne with Pancetta and Asparagus

• 🍳 Nonstick Deep Skillet – Great for crisping pancetta and tossing pasta right in the pan.
• 🔪 Professional Chef’s Knife – Makes prepping asparagus and pancetta quick and precise.
• 🥄 Stainless Steel Pasta Spoon – Ideal for lifting and serving pasta without splatter.
• 🧀 Fine Grater for Parmesan – Grate cheese fresh for maximum flavor.
• 🍋 Citrus Zester and Peeler – Adds a bright finish with just a touch of lemon zest.
• 🍝 Pasta Strainer with Handle – Perfect for safely draining hot pasta and blanching veggies.

💡 Helpful Tip: To make it a little lighter, substitute half-and-half for the cream, or swap in turkey bacon for pancetta. This dish also works beautifully with peas or mushrooms in place of asparagus!