Recipe

Cheesy pancetta pasta with pangrattato

Crispy pancetta and cauliflower are tossed with a creamy, cheesy white wine sauce through fresh pasta to create this beautiful Italian dish in no time at all. Serve with a flavoursome homemade crumbly pangrattato topping and fresh basil leaves for a real flavour hit.

Sep 29, 2014 2:00pm
  • 15 mins preparation
  • 15 mins cooking
  • Serves 6
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Ingredients

Cheesy pancetta pasta
  • 350 gram penne
  • 1/2 medium cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 3 teaspoon olive oil
  • 150 gram pancetta or bacon, chopped
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) light thickened cream
  • 1/2 cup (60g) grated vintage cheddar
  • 1/2 cup (40g) grated parmesan
  • 2 tablespoon basil leaves
Pangrattato
  • 150 gram stale bread, crusts removed, torn
  • 45 gram can anchovies, oil reserved
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried chilli flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil

Method

Cheesy pancetta pasta with pangrattato
  • 1
    Bring a saucepan of salted water to the boil. Cook penne according to packet directions. Drain.
  • 2
    Meanwhile, bring a second saucepan of salted water to the boil. Cook cauliflower florets 5-7 minutes, until tender. Drain.
  • 3
    Heat oil in a large saucepan on high. Cook pancetta 3-4 minutes, until crisp. Add cauliflower. Cook 3-4 minutes, until lightly browned. Add wine. Cook 2-3 minutes, until wine evaporates. Add pasta, cream, cheddar and parmesan to pan. Toss to heat through. Season and remove from heat.
  • 4
    To make pangrattato: place bread, anchovies, reserved oil and chilli flakes in a food processor. Process until crumbs form.
  • 5
    Heat oil in a frying pan on medium-high. Cook breadcrumb mixture, stirring, 2-3 minutes, until golden. Scatter pangrattato and basil leaves over hot pasta, to serve.

Notes

This dish will easily serve six, but if you're catering for a party of four, any letftovers can be reheated the next day for a tasty lunch or quick dinner for two. We love using the traditional Italian topping pangrattato on its own fer a quick simple dressing for pasta. Or toss it through steamed broccoli as a side dish.

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