Creamy Asparagus and Pancetta Penne

9 Reviews
ADD YOUR REVIEW
Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Hands-on Time
45 Mins
Total Time
45 Mins
Yield
Serves 6 (serving size: about 1 1/2 cups)
By Maureen Callahan
March 2016
RECIPE BY Cooking Light

This vibrantly colorful dish is chock full of amazing veggies. In taking advantage of produce that is in season, this pasta dish truly shines. 

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 ounces chopped pancetta
  • 1 (8-ounce) package sliced cremini mushrooms
  • 1/4 cup white wine or 2 tablespoons each lemon juice and water
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 4 cups unsalted chicken stock
  • 3 cups 1% low-fat milk, divided
  • 12 ounces uncooked whole-wheat penne (such as Barilla)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup frozen green peas
  • 12 ounces asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
  • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper

Nutritional Information

  • Calories 397
  • Fat 11.8g
  • Satfat 4.7g
  • Monofat 1.9g
  • Polyfat 0.4g
  • Protein 23g
  • Carbohydrate 54g
  • Fiber 7g
  • Cholesterol 25mg
  • Iron 4mg
  • Sodium 721mg
  • Calcium 218mg
  • Sugars 12g
  • Est. added sugars 0g

How to Make It

Step 1

Combine flour and butter in a bowl until a paste forms.

Step 2

Place a large high-sided sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add pancetta; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add mushrooms; sauté 5 minutes or until browned and liquid evaporates. Add wine; cook 2 minutes or until liquid is absorbed, stirring to loosen browned bits. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt. Transfer mixture to a plate.

Step 3

Add stock, 2 cups milk, penne, and bay leaf to pan; bring to a boil. Cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in peas, asparagus, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, remaining 1 cup milk, and thyme; cook 2 minutes. Add butter-flour paste, in pieces, stirring constantly to combine and thicken. Remove from heat; stir in mushroom mixture, parsley, rind, and black pepper.

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Ratings & Reviews

Delicious!

Caroline
February 21, 2016
My (picky) husband and I loved this dish. The flavors came together so nicely! At first, I was worried that there was too much liquid, but by the end, it had all evaporated, thickened, and absorbed into a nice creamy and delicious sauce. I will absolutely make this again! I used Dreamfields pasta instead of regular whole wheat pasta, because my husband prefers the taste.

Super quick & absolutely delicious!

Kim
March 17, 2016
Loved this recipe! Used a flavorful stock and I think it added flavor. Also added extra thyme and lemon to taste. Wonderful recipe!

Wouldn't make again

karenfar
March 01, 2016
Followed recipe to a T and it just didn't taste good. Wouldn't make again and wouldn't recommend

Great one pot pasta meal!

Shushka
March 20, 2016
I made this last week and it was super easy and so delicious.  I will definitely be making this again.

Gotta love a one pot meal

LittleAlbatross
April 03, 2016
This was very good! Next time I will add more asparagus. It's definitely important to season throughout per the recipe. And I added ground black pepper and extra thyme. Even the kids loved it!

Delicious!

Batblover7
September 08, 2016
 This turned out great! I added green beans instead of the mushrooms and it was delicious. I also added grated some fresh parmesan cheese on top. I will definitely make this recipe again!

Not a repeat!

cer0529
February 17, 2017
This sounded so good...but it was bland. I made half the recipe and only used 4 ounces of pasta. I admit i didn't add as much salt as it called - it sounded like a lot but it surely was not creamy and i followed the recipe. Maybe a shallot or more onion would help but it needs something.

Came Out Soupy

MWagner
April 23, 2017
The liquid didn't thickenor absorb enough and I ended up pouring a lot of it out. It tasted okay, though, and was better after adding a squeeze of lemon juice.