Super simple and full of flavour, this Pasta in Green Sauce is my go-to pasta recipe when I was something quick, easy and delicious...
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Total Time30 minutesmins
Course: Pasta
Cuisine: Global
Servings: 2servings
Author: Margie
Ingredients
Drizzle olive oil
150gpancetta lardons
1medium leekwashed, trimmed and finely chopped
200gdried calamarata pastaor dried pasta of your choice
3garlic cloves
100gfresh spinach
50gpeasdefrosted in a little boiling water for a few minutes
30gParmesangrated (plus extra to serve)
30gfresh basil
1egg yolkwhisked
Salt and freshly ground black pepperto taste
Instructions
Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan set over a low-medium heat and cook the pancetta until the fat renders out and it becomes crispy.
Push the pancetta to one side and add the leeks. Sauté in the pancetta fat for a few minutes, stirring often, until softened. Remove from the heat, scoop out the leeks into a blender and set aside.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in boiling salted water with the garlic cloves for a few minutes less than the packet instructions (you will finish cooking it in the sauce later and you want to ensure it is served ‘al dente’). Scoop out a mug of the pasta cooking water, then drain the rest. Set aside.
Add the spinach, peas, Parmesan, basil, and softened garlic (which should be nestled in your drained pasta) to the leeks in the blender with approx. 120ml of the pasta cooking water. Blitz until smooth.
Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the pancetta. Pour in the sauce and toss together really well to combine.
Return to the heat and cook for a minute or so until heated through and the pasta is perfectly cooked. Turn off the heat and add the whisked egg yolk. Keep tossing until you have a smooth and glossy sauce (you can add more pasta cooking water if you need it). Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed - Parmesan and pancetta are quite salty, so proceed with caution.
Spoon into bowls and serve with more freshly grated Parmesan. Enjoy!
Notes
Making it vegetarian: This recipe can easily be adapted for vegetarians. Simply skip the pancetta and use a vegetarian-friendly alternative to Parmesan.