Imagine twirling your fork into a perfect plate of orecchiette, where crispy pancetta meets succulent shrimp, and a hint of spicy Fresno chiles dances across your palate. This isn't just another pasta recipe—it's a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary Italian-inspired meal that will make your taste buds sing and your dinner guests incredibly impressed. Get ready to elevate your home cooking game with this mouthwatering shrimp and pancetta pasta that looks and tastes like it came straight from a gourmet restaurant kitchen!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 ounces orecchiette pasta
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 ounces pancetta, diced
- 2 Fresno chiles, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add orecchiette pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add diced pancetta and cook until crispy and golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and sliced Fresno chiles to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and are just cooked through.
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to enhance flavor.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together. If the sauce seems dry, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a silky consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve hot, garnishing with additional sliced Fresno chiles if desired.
Tips
- Always salt your pasta water generously—it should taste like the sea to properly season your pasta from within.
- Pat your shrimp completely dry before cooking to ensure a beautiful golden sear and prevent steaming.
- Don't rush the pancetta—let it crisp slowly to develop deep, rich flavor and render its delicious fat.
- Reserve your pasta water before draining; its starchy liquid is the secret to creating a silky, clingy sauce.
- Cook shrimp just until they turn pink to prevent rubbery texture—they continue cooking slightly after being removed from heat.
- Slice Fresno chiles with care and adjust quantity based on your spice tolerance—they add a beautiful heat and color to the dish.
- If you can't find Fresno chiles, red jalapeños make an excellent substitute.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 642kcal
Carbohydrates: 62g
Protein: 39g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 164mg
