Pasta with Pancetta in a Smoky Tomato Sauce

This easy and sophisticated pasta with pancetta is a perfect meal for entertaining or for everyday dining. You’ll love the smoky tomato sauce!

Sometimes a certain night just calls for pasta, right? Either you’re craving a bowl of comfort food, or you’re trying to impress someone, or you just want something everyone will love.

This pasta will fit into all those categories. It’s so flavorful with a really delightful smoky tomato sauce but still a classic bowl of pasta. 

Pair it with a green salad (we recommend homemade ranch with said salad!), a glass of red wine, and a loaf of crusty bread and you’ve got yourself a beautiful dinner.

PS: Looking for a one pot pasta recipe?  Try Pasta Amatriciana (with a similar smoky pancetta and tomato sauce), creamy chicken spaghetti, pizza pasta, or Mediterranean chicken with couscous. 

About This Recipe

Sometimes the most simple things are the best, aren’t they? This pasta is so easy but so delicious and there are a lot of fun things you can do with it. 

The recipe doesn’t have many ingredients and you can cook it all up in about the time it takes to boil a pot of pasta.

Choose a good quality pasta because it really makes a difference in this simple dish. It’s a nice opportunity to try a more unique pasta; think beyond plain spaghetti.

How To Make This Recipe

First, prep the vegetables. Wash and cut them finely. We’re not talking about bite-sized or one inch chunks; you’ll want about a quarter inch dice.

Next, crisp up the pancetta in a skillet and set it aside. That will take about ten minutes. Transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels but reserve most of the rendered fat.

Now put a big pot of water on the stove over high heat. When it comes to a boil, stir in your pasta and set the timer.

While that’s going, you’ll create a simple sauce with tomatoes, and the diced carrots, red bell peppers, and onion. It’s seasoned with smoked paprika which gives the sauce a warm cozy feel and so much flavor. Take five to seven minutes to sauté the veggies and another 10 minutes to simmer the sauce once you add the tomatoes.

When the pasta is done cooking, drain it but reserve a cup or so of pasta water. You’ll stir that starchy water into your sauce as needed to create just the right texture. Fold the cooked pasta into the sauce, add the crisp pancetta and fresh green parsley.

Dinner is ready! This pasta dish can be served on its own or as a side dish.

FAQs

Make It Your Own

There are a few ways to tweak this recipe to make it your own.

• Sprinkle with Parmesan or mozzarella cheese before serving.
• Add more vegetables. I like the combo of red bell peppers, carrots, and onion, but this sauce is also great with mushrooms, spinach, or kale. Garlic is a good addition, too.
• Increase or decrease the smokiness. You can add as much or as little smoked paprika as you’d like. Just remember you can always add more, but you can’t take it out!
• Add some heat with a pinch of red pepper flakes. Minced garlic is really great, too.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Have leftover pasta? Store it in the refrigerator for up to four days. It freezes well, too. Store it in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. It will keep for 3 months.

To reheat individual portions, microwave until warmed through. Larger portions can be reheated in a skillet. Add a bit of water if the pasta seems dry. Pasta continues to absorb liquid — it’s like a sponge.

What to serve with this pasta

• Crusty bread (try this no-knead Dutch oven bread) with Italian dipping oil
• Chive bread or Italian herb and cheese pull-apart bread.
• Green salad with homemade healthy ranch dressing or homemade Italian dressing. Make the salad with crisp green romaine lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, kalamata olives, and homemade croutons. A classic salad like this arugula salad is a good choice too. It has an amazing lemon vinaigrette.
• Don’t forget dessert! Try easy crème brûlée for two (make it in a slow cooker) or a no-bake chocolate tart. 

Delicious Pasta Recipes

Baked Feta Pasta Recipe (with vegan option)

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Chicken Marsala Pasta – One Pan!

Browse All

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe

Get the Recipe: Pasta with Pancetta in a Smoky Tomato Sauce

4.41 from 5 votes

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 40 mins

8 servings

• Pin It

Print Rate Recipe Save Saved

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

This easy and sophisticated pasta with pancetta is a perfect meal for entertaining or for everyday dining. You'll love the smoky tomato sauce!

Ingredients

• ▢ 8 ounces pancetta, cut into small cubes
• ▢ 1 small yellow onion, diced small (about 1 cup)
• ▢ 1 carrot, peeled and diced small (about ½ cup)
• ▢ 1 red bell pepper, diced small (about 1 cup)
• ▢ 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• ▢ ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, more to taste
• ▢ salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ 1 pound pasta (I like to use cellentani)
• ▢ ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, extra for garnishing

Instructions

• Put a large pot of water over high heat to boil for the pasta.
• In a large deep skillet, cook pancetta over medium high for 10 minutes or until crispy. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Drain some of the fat from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
• Add onion, carrot, and red bell pepper to skillet, and cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes and smoked paprika, and bring to a boil. Simmer rapidly for about 10 minutes or until sauce has thickened.
• Meanwhile, salt your pasta water and cook pasta according to the package. Reserve ¾ to 1 cup of the pasta water when the pasta has finished cooking and before you drain it.
• Drain pasta (don’t forget to reserve some of the water). Add the pasta to the sauce in the skillet, stirring to combine. If necessary, add reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, to bring the sauce to desired consistency.
• Add pancetta and chopped parsley and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve garnished with additional fresh parsley.

Notes

• Store leftover pasta in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. 
• If desired, top pasta with grated or shredded Parmesan cheese or shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Instead of, or in addition to, carrots or peppers, try finely chopped mushrooms. 
• Add finely minced garlic or red pepper flakes, if desired. Add them to the pan a minute before you add the tomatoes and cook until fragrant.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 162kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.04g, Cholesterol: 19mg, Sodium: 532mg, Potassium: 464mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 2326IU, Vitamin C: 32mg, Calcium: 36mg, Iron: 2mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk

This post was originally a guest post for my dear friend Brandy of Nutmeg Nanny. Click here to see it!

Note: This post, recipe & photos were updated October, 2019.

YES, I WANT THIS!

5 Time & Stress Saving Cooking Secrets

Free email series of my best tips!

FREE BONUS!

I consent to receive emails from Rachel Cooks.