Pancetta, Pea and Asparagus Orrechiette Bake

    20m prep time
    50m total time
    Easy level
    12 ingredients

Try this delicious spring pasta bake recipe as a midweek family meal, which freezes brilliantly. We’ve used orecchiette, but you can use whatever pasta you like. When asparagus is in season, eat as much of it as yoy can. It's such a treat!

Method

Based on 4 servings, adjust as needed.

Step 1

Bring a saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add the orecchiette and cook for 4 mins less than stated on the pack instructions. Add the peas for the final minute of cooking. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the pancetta and fry until golden, around 6 mins. Add the sliced asparagus and garlic, and cook for 2-3 mins, then tip everything into a bowl and set aside.

Step 3

Melt the butter in the frying pan. Whisk in the flour and start to add the milk a little at a time, whisking well until you have a creamy sauce. Simmer for 3-4 mins until thickened. Remove from the heat and stir through the cheddar and two-thirds of the parmesan. Once melted and smooth, season the sauce to taste. Mix in the cooked pasta and the asparagus mixture. Spoon into an ovenproof dish (ours was 25 x 30cm). Scatter over the breadcrumbs along with the remaining parmesan.

Step 4

If cooking immediately, heat the grill to high. Grill for 5-6 mins until golden and bubbling. Otherwise, leave to fully cool and cover well before freezing.
  • Ingredients
  • Based on 4 servings
  • 80g Frozen Peas 1 x Stamford Street Co. Peas 850g
  • 300g Dried Orecchiette Pasta 1 x Sainsbury's Orecchiette, Taste the Difference 500g
  • 1tbsp Olive Oil 1 x Sainsbury's Olive Oil 1L
  • 75g Plain Flour 1 x Sainsbury's Plain Flour 500g
  • 125g Asparagus Spears, trimmed and cut into 4 1 x Sainsbury's Asparagus Spears
  • 1garlic clove Finely Sliced 1 x Sainsbury's Large Garlic
  • 75g Butter 1 x Sainsbury's British Butter, Salted 250g
  • 130g Pancetta 1 x Sainsbury's Italian Cubetti Di Pancetta 200g
  • 750g Milk 1 x Sainsbury's British Whole Milk 1.13L (2 pint)
  • 60g Cheddar, grated 1 x Sainsbury's British Mature Grated Cheddar Cheese 250g
  • 90g Parmesan, grated 1 x Sainsbury's Grana Padano Cheese 200g
  • 20g Panko Breadcrumbs 1 x Sainsbury's Panko Breadcrumbs, Inspired to Cook 100g
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