Paccheri with Creamy Potatoes and Crispy Pancetta: A Hug on a Plate đŸ„”â€ïž

For the Crispy Pancetta

  • 150g Pancetta: Cut into small cubes. You can substitute with bacon if pancetta is unavailable.

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

  1. Peel and Chop: Start by peeling the potatoes and cutting them into small cubes to ensure they cook evenly.
  2. Boil the Potatoes: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the cubed potatoes and cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until tender. You can test them by piercing with a fork; they should be soft but not falling apart.
  3. Drain and Mash: Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them and return them to the pot. Mash them using a potato masher or fork until smooth. Set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Pancetta

  1. Sauté the Pancetta: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the diced pancetta. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pancetta is crispy and golden brown.
  2. Remove and Drain: Once crispy, remove the pancetta from the skillet and place it on a paper towel to drain excess fat. Leave a small amount of fat in the pan for flavor.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Potato Sauce

  1. Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet with the pancetta fat, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Add Broth and Cream: Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
  3. Incorporate Mashed Potatoes: Add the mashed potatoes to the sauce, stirring until well combined. If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with additional broth or cream to reach your desired consistency.
  4. Season the Sauce: Add salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce, stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy.

Step 4: Cook the Paccheri

  1. Boil the Pasta: In a large pot of salted water, cook the paccheri according to the package instructions until al dente. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes.
  2. Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. This can be useful for adjusting the sauce consistency later.
  3. Drain and Combine: Drain the paccheri and add it directly to the creamy potato sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly.

Step 5: Final Touches

  1. Adjust Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen it up, mixing until you achieve a creamy consistency.
  2. Add Crispy Pancetta: Fold in the crispy pancetta, reserving a small amount for garnish.
  3. Garnish: Transfer the paccheri to a serving dish and garnish with the reserved crispy pancetta and freshly chopped parsley.

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