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Creamy Zucchini and Stracchino Pasta with Crispy Pancetta

This dish brings a delightful twist of creamy zucchini and stracchino cheese, complemented by crispy pancetta, for a comforting meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 680
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and cheese
  • 1 lb Paccheri pasta (or your pasta of choice)
  • 1/2 cup Italian Stracchino cheese Creamy and luxurious
  • 1 oz Parmigiano Reggiano Finely grated for a nutty richness
Vegetables
  • 2 Zucchini (courgettes) Ripe and vibrant
  • 1 clove Garlic Finely chopped
  • large handful Fresh basil Fragrant and colorful
Meat and seasoning
  • 3.5 oz Pancetta Cut into cubes or matchsticks
  • 2 tablespoons Water To steam the veggies
  • to taste Salt Necessary flavor enhancer
  • Olive oil For drizzling and sautéing

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil and salt it generously.
  2. Wash the zucchini and cut it into quarters lengthwise before chopping it into small, bite-sized pieces.
Cooking
  1. Heat a bit of olive oil in a large pan over medium-low heat and add the cubed pancetta. Fry until slightly golden, then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  2. Add the chopped zucchini to the same pan. Drizzle more olive oil if needed, toss in the garlic, and add a sprinkle of salt. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Pour in 2 tablespoons of water and cover with a lid. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the zucchini is tender.
  4. Add pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente, following the package instructions.
  5. Transfer the zucchini to a blender or food processor. Add basil, stracchino cheese, and Parmigiano Reggiano, and blitz until smooth.
  6. Add the pureed sauce back into the pan (turn off the heat). Transfer the pasta directly into the pan with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
Serving
  1. Dish out the creamy pasta into bowls and top with the crispy pancetta.

Notes

For added depth, consider roasting the zucchini before adding it to the pasta. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, and finish with high-quality olive oil or fresh herbs for presentation.