Sometimes, the simplest meals are the most satisfying, and this Crispy Bacon & Frozen Pea Pasta is the perfect example. Smoked streaky bacon and sweet peas combine with a creamy, pesto sauce to create a deliciously comforting dish. Tossed with Spelt fusilli pasta and topped with shavings of Lincolnshire Poacher cheese, it’s a meal that feels indulgent without being complicated.
Crispy Bacon & Frozen Pea Pasta
Ingredients
Method
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Set a cast iron frying pan over a medium – high heat. Drizzle in a little oil and add the chopped bacon. Cook for 5-6 minutes, or until the fat has rendered from the bacon and it is perfectly crispy. Using a slotted spoon remove the bacon from the pan and set it on a plate lined with kitchen towel.
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Turn down the heat of the pan and add the onions and garlic. Sweat the veg for 6-7 minutes until they have softened and become fragrant. Scrape the onions and garlic into a food processor.
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Get your pasta on. Set a saucepan over a high heat, fill it with boiling water and a really big pinch of sea salt. Tip in the pasta and cook as per the instructions.
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Meanwhile, set a saucepan over a high heat and fill it with boiling water. Tip the frozen peas into the pan and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Drain the peas and transfer them to a food processor.
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To the food processor add pine nuts, basil, olive oil, cheese and a pinch of salt. Blitz until a pesto or rough sauce has formed.
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When the pasta is cooked, drain it, reserving around 2-3 tablespoons of pasta water. Set a large saucepan over a low heat and tip in the pesto. Pour in the pasta and mix well.
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Check the seasoning and make any adjustments.
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Serve the pasta with a generous grind of black pepper, the crispy bacon, a few more shavings of cheese and a drizzle of really good olive oil.
