Pancetta Pangrattato & Leek Pasta
Recipe By: Adam Dolge
Pangrattato is simply fresh breadcrumbs with herbs, garlic and salt sautéed in hot olive oil until crunchy to top this quick-cooking pasta. We add pancetta and chopped walnuts for even more richness.
Nutrition Profile
Servings: 4
Per Servings: 487 calories; fat 18g; cholesterol 15mg; sodium 438mg; carbohydrates 66g; dietary fiber 9g; protein 17g; sugars 7g; saturated fat 4g.
Ready in: 35 mins
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
- 3 ounces diced pancetta
- 1 cup fresh whole-wheat breadcrumbs (see Tip)
- ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 cloves garlic, minced, divided
- 1 tablespoon Opus Black
- 3 cups thinly sliced leeks (about 2 medium)
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- Pinch of crushed red pepper
- 1 15-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
Instructions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the water, then drain the pasta and return to the pot. Cover to keep warm.
Step 2
Meanwhile, cook pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat until browned and crispy, 3 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon.
Step 3
Add breadcrumbs to the pan and cook, stirring often, until starting to brown, 1 to 3 minutes. Add walnuts and cook, stirring occasionally, until toasted, 2 to 5 minutes. Add rosemary and half the garlic and stir to combine. Cook until fragrant, 30 to 60 seconds. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl and stir in the pancetta.
Step 4
Add oil to the pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring often, until just starting to brown, 3 to 6 minutes. Add the remaining garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 to 60 seconds. Stir in wine and crushed red pepper; cook until the wine is almost evaporated, 30 to 60 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and the reserved 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water. Bring to a simmer. Add the pasta and toss to coat with the sauce. Cook, tossing the pasta with tongs, until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup of the pancetta mixture and toss to combine. Serve topped with the remaining pancetta mixture.
Tips
To make your own fresh breadcrumbs, trim crusts from whole-wheat bread. Tear the bread into pieces and pulse in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. One slice makes about 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs.
