STEPS 4 INGREDIENTS 6 TIME 15 MINS This addictively easy and scrumptious penne pasta recipe is so simple I’m sure it will become one of your staple meals.
This particular recipe is perfectly suited to busy eaters on a budget because…
• It takes just 15 mins start to finish
• You only need 5 ingredients
• Even the required equipment is easy: 1 deep frying pan and 1 big pasta pan.
So let’s see how easy this Italian pasta recipe is…
Serves 4
Ingredients:
400g/14oz penne pasta
Quarter litre (250ml or 8.5fl oz) of single cream (I prefer ‘full fat’)
2 teaspoons of black pepper
100g/3.5oz pancetta (belly bacon cubes), or chopped bacon bits
25g/0.8oz butter
Extra virgin olive oil
Optional: 50g/1.75oz parmesan cheese (to grate)
Equipment
Big deep pan/skillet with lid
Large frying pan (ideally deep too)
Optional: Cheese grater (if using parmesan)
STEP 1 – Boil a couple of kettles full of water. Then get this water boiling in your large pan, on a high heat hob.
Stir in 2 handfuls of salt (this brings out the pasta’s full taste), add the pasta into the pan, and set your timer as per the pasta packet’s instructions (penne typically takes 8-10 minutes to cook ‘al dente’).
STEP 2 – Melt the butter in a medium heat frying pan.
When melted, throw in the bacon bits. Cook until slightly crisp and browned (usually 4-5 minutes).
STEP 3 – When the bacon is done, pour over the cream.
Mix gently and heat through for 2 mins – on the same medium heat hob.
STEP 4 – If the pasta is now ready, drain it and throw it in the frying pan with the grated parmesan.
Mix this al through for a minute or two, then serve.
If the pasta isn’t ready yet, take the sauce off the hob – and when the pasta is ready just drain it, mix in, and heat through as described above.
Done. That’s why this penne recipe is such a winner… it’s over before you’ve even realised you’re cooking!
More quick n’ easy pasta recipes…
• Get eggy with it, with my breakfast pasta recipe.
• Make winter warmer with this wholesome pasta fagioli recipe.
• Combine your fave short pasta with this 5-minute pesto sauce recipe.
And… did you like this penne pasta recipe?