Tagliatelle with asparagus, crispy pancetta & Parmesan

A great dish packed with earthy flavours that the whole family will love – and it's quick and easy, too!

Ingredients

1 bunch asparagus

12 thin slices higher-welfare pancetta, sliced into small strips

500 g fresh egg tagliatelle

40 g Parmesan, grated

sea salt

freshly ground black pepper

extra virgin olive oil

Method

Snap the woody bottoms off the asparagus stalks and throw them away.

Cut off the top 4cm of each stalk, put to one side and finely chop the remaining stalks. Heat a wide frying pan and gently fry the chopped asparagus stalks in a little olive oil with the pancetta. When the asparagus softens slightly turn the heat off and mash them roughly with the back of a fork.

Cook the tagliatelle in plenty of boiling salted water, according to pack instructions. Add the asparagus tips for the last 2 minutes of cooking time.

Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of the cooking water, and toss with the mashed asparagus and pancetta.

Stir in most of the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. If needed loosen the pasta with a little of the cooking water. Serve with the last of the Parmesan sprinkled on top.

Tip: Cooking your asparagus with the pasta is a clever way to save on time and washing up.

Nutritional Information - Amount per serving:

Calories366kcal

Carbs36.7g

Sugar0.9g

Fat14.4g

Saturates4.7g

Protein20.9g

by Jamie Oliver