Peasant Italian Dish: Pasta, Bacon, & Peas

Peasant Italian Dish:  Pasta,  Bacon, & Peas

This morning I was watching the news and they presented a version of this dish (I should say the traditional version).

I have taken this version and converted to a more affordable recipe in a size that makes sense for us.

Here is what I came up with:

       Peasant Italian Dish:  Pasta,  Bacon, & Peas

Ingredients:

1/2 pound of pasta (shells,or bow tie pasta is good)

1/4  pound of bacon  (cut into small dice)
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced (I use the chopped garlic from the      Dollar tree)
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme (use fresh if you can as pictured)
4 ounces fresh peas, blanched (I use a cup of frozen)
2 Tablespoons cold butter
1 ounce grated Parmigiana cheese and  more to grate on top
½ cup of reserved salted water from cooking the pasta 

Salt and pepper to taste 

Directions:

1. In a skillet over medium high heat, brown bacon in olive oil until golden 

2. Add onions, thyme and garlic to the pan and lower the heat, cook until the onions are soft (10 minutes) 

3. Cook pasta in the meantime

4. Drain pasta and add to the pan along with peas and reserved pasta water and toss to mix 

5. Take the pasta and peas off the heat, add butter and Parmigiana and season with salt and pepper 

6. Serve in heated bowls topped with more Parmigiana cheese.

This is such  a nice fresh dinner just perfect for this time of year!
 

Here are the more expensive ingredients that are more traditional for this dish. pancetta, cavatelli,  fresh thyme.