Tortellini with peas and pancetta

This was a very easy and simple recipe, with simple and flavorful ingredients. This recipe is a modified version of an alfredo sauce.

For the pasta, if you have the tools, feel free to make your own, or you can just use store-bought pasta. Trader Joe's has a variety of ravioli, tortellini, and dried pastas (you can use any pasta you'd like; just follow the cooking instructions on the package). In fact, all of the ingredients came from Trader Joe's!



Ingredients

• 1/2 large onion, chopped or diced (or substitute the onion for shallots)
  
• 1/2 or 1 cup diced pancetta (you can also use diced ham or even bacon)
  
• 1/2 or 1 cup of frozen peas
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 TBSP butter
  
• 1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
• salt and pepper to taste
  
• Parmesan cheese (1/2 or 1 cup)
  
• 1 package cheese tortellini (or any pasta you prefer)
  

Start by sautéing the onions and garlic in butter or a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil until translucent. Then add the pancetta and cook until brown. Add the cup of heavy cream and butter to the onions and pancetta and cook until it becomes a bit thickened. Add the pasta and toss in the frozen peas. Stir and incorporate all of the ingredients. Add some parmesan cheese to the mixture and serve. You could also add some additional cheese on top.


Pancetta (definition from Wikipedia.com):

Italian pancetta (Italian pronunciation: [panˈtʃetːa]) is a type of dry cured meat, similar to bacon. It is pork belly that has been salt cured and spiced (nutmeg, pepper, fennel, dried ground hot peppers and garlic are often featured), and dried for about three months (but usually not smoked). There are many varieties, and in Italy each region produces its own type.