Penne with Peas and Pancetta Recipe

Penne with Peas and Pancetta: a simple and creamy pasta dish with sweet peas, crispy pancetta, and Parmesan, ready in minutes.

Green penne pasta is a simple yet flavorful dish, perfect when you want something quick and comforting. Sweet green peas combine with sautéed pancetta and softened onion, enriched with a splash of white wine for extra depth.

Finished with Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper, it’s a balanced and satisfying meal ready in minutes. Let’s see how to make Green Penne Pasta.

Quick Traditional Comfort food

Penne with Peas and Pancetta

Penne with peas and pancetta, creamy and flavorful with Parmesan and white wine. A quick and comforting Italian dish.

Prep: 10m Cook time: 20m Total time: 30m Servings: 2 servings Cuisine: Italian Category: Main Courses

by Traditional Italian recipe Published on 25 March 2026

Ingredients

• Penne 200 g
• Green peas 175 g
• Butter 12 g
• Pancetta 12 g
• Onion 1/2
• White wine 1/2 glass
• Parmesan to taste
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Tools

• Pan
• Pot
• Wooden spoon
• Knife
• Cutting board

Instructions

1. Finely chop onion and pancetta.
2. Sauté them in butter over low heat.
3. Deglaze with white wine and let it evaporate completely.
4. Add peas, season with salt and cook until tender.
5. Cook penne in salted boiling water.
6. Drain pasta al dente and add to the sauce.
7. Toss well to combine.
8. Add Parmesan and black pepper, mix and serve hot.

Nutritional values (per serving)

Calories
520 kcal

Fat
18 g

Carbohydrates
70 g

Protein
18 g

Sugar
6 g

Fiber
6 g

Sodium
480 mg

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Chef’s Tips

Build a gentle flavor base

Let the onion soften slowly over low heat. This is where the natural sweetness develops. Cooking it too fast can make it bitter and overpower the dish.

Pancetta balance

Cook the pancetta until lightly crispy but still tender. It should release its fat and flavor the dish without becoming too dry or chewy.

Proper deglazing

When adding the wine, increase the heat slightly and let it evaporate fully. You want the aroma, not the alcohol taste.

Perfect peas

Peas should stay bright and slightly firm. Overcooking will dull both color and flavor. If using frozen peas, add them directly without thawing.

Finish in the pan

Drain the pasta al dente and finish cooking it in the sauce. This helps it absorb flavors and creates a better texture.

Cheese technique

Add Parmesan off the heat or on very low heat to keep it creamy and avoid clumping.

Final touch

Freshly ground black pepper enhances everything. For an extra layer, a pinch of nutmeg can add warmth and depth.