Our 23 Best Pancetta Recipes

- Photo by Brian W. Ferry1/23
Parmesan Bread Pudding With Broccoli Rabe and Pancetta
Broccoli rabe is folded into a cheesy bread dressing before being draped with slices of pancetta that crisp up as the dish bakes.
- Photo by Laura Murray2/23
Clam Toasts with Pancetta
Shellfish and pork are a power duo. The backbone of this clam toast is a salty-sweet pancetta soffritto with onions, fennel, and lemon zest, which add a sweet, bright flavor.
- Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Andy Baraghani3/23
Malfatti with Pancetta and Cherry Tomatoes
Malfatti—literally "badly made"—are not as tricky to shape as you think. This sturdy gnocchi-esque dumpling dough is a breeze to work with.
- Photo by Christina Holmes4/23
Cabbage Wedges with Warm Pancetta Vinaigrette
Not that there’s anything wrong with coleslaw and sauerkraut, but cabbage has so much more potential.
- Photo by Gentl & Hyers5/23
Pasta with Ramp Pesto and Guanciale
Guanciale, a type of Italian bacon, and ramps, an early-spring green onion, make this pasta unforgettable—but if you can't find them, pancetta and scallions will work too.
- Photo by Marcus Nilsson6/23
Cast-Iron Roast Chicken With Winter Squash, Red Onions, and Pancetta
Why wouldn't you throw some veggies around your bird while it roasts? You've got a hot pan that's about to be full of sizzling schmaltz just begging to bathe a mosaic of squash and onions with tons of chicken-y flavor.
- Photo by Ted Cavanaugh7/23
Bucatini With Lemony Carbonara
Lemon makes the perfect foil for carbonara’s salty richness. You may never go back.
- Photo by Noel Barnhurst8/23
Three-Cheese Pizza with Pancetta and Mushrooms
Crisp pancetta and thinly sliced mushrooms give this three-cheese pizza with a wafer-thin crust an umami boost.
- Photo by Laura Dart and A.J. Meeker9/23
Pasta Carbonara with English Peas
Adding peas to a carbonara is by no means classically Italian, though the combination of black pepper, pancetta, and peas is. Instead of (or in addition to) the peas, you could use asparagus or thinly sliced sugar snap peas.
- Peden + Munk10/23
Delicata Squash Carbonara
Delicata squash gives a seasonal pop of color to a traditional pasta carbonara recipe studded with cubes of crisp pancetta.
- Photo by Marcus Nilsson11/23
Reginetti with Savoy Cabbage and Pancetta
We're into the ruffles-on-ruffles look you get from using savoy, but green cabbage is also great in this pancetta-accented pasta.
- Christina Holmes12/23
Winter Squash Carbonara with Pancetta and Sage
A buttery purée of kabocha squash becomes the sauce for this fall carbonara. A hint of sage, shreds of grated Pecorino, and chopped pancetta round out the dish.
- Photo by Marcus Nilsson13/23
Roast Chicken with Pancetta and Olives
Roasted with briny olives and chunks of pancetta, the garlicky meat stays moist in a shallow bath of white wine.
- Photo by Marcus Nilsson14/23
Classic Ragu Bolognese
Combine ground beef, ground veal, and pancetta with red wine, milk, and aromatics for the meat sauce of your dreams.
- Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott15/23
Baguette, Smoked Oyster, and Pancetta Stuffing
This take on classic bread stuffing matches smoked oysters with salty pancetta.
- Sang An16/23
Charred Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Fig Glaze
The tried-and-true combination of Brussels sprouts and bacon gets a pleasant upgrade by substituting in salty pancetta and a sweet fig jam. A finishing splash of balsamic vinegar adds a final note of tanginess.
- Christopher Baker17/23
Pork Tenderloin with Plum Chutney
In this delicious double dose of pork, the tenderloin stays juicy inside a crispy pancetta crust. Make sure to save any extra chutney—you'll want it for pork sandwiches the next day.
- Photo by Steven Freeman18/23
Cantaloupe and Pancetta Cream Sauce for Pasta
This sounds crazy, right? Well, you just have to trust us. The cantaloupe breaks down to form the backbone of a sweet, creamy sauce scented with pancetta and marjoram.
- COPYRIGHT ©2011 THE CONDÉ NAST PUBLICATIONS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.19/23
Red Cabbage Salad with Warm Pancetta-Balsamic Dressing
A warm vinaigrette made with balsamic vinegar–soaked raisins and rich pancetta drippings acts as a tenderizer for a salad of hearty red cabbage topped with almonds and parsley.
- Photo by Lara Ferroni20/23
Roasted Butternut Squash Ribbons with Arugula, Pancetta, and Hazelnut Salad
Tangled butternut ribbons get baked into a moist flat cake for a seriously showstopping side. Pair the squash with a mix of spicy arugula and ever-so-slightly-bitter chicory enhanced with savory pancetta and toasted hazelnuts. A sweet-tart apple vinaigrette is the final touch atop the refreshing fall salad.
- Photo by Pornchai Mittongtare21/23
Pappardelle with Pancetta, Broccoli Rabe, and Pine Nuts
A luxurious but simple combination of pine nuts, broccoli rabe, and crisp pancetta transforms a bowl of ribbon-like pasta.
- Photo by Ditte Isager22/23
Grilled Pancetta-Wrapped Asparagus
Thinly sliced pancetta goes a little crisp, its salty porkiness complementing the asparagus. Though the spears are wrapped, they cook through perfectly and even pick up some grill flavor.
- Photo by Steve Giralt23/23
Linguine with Pancetta, Peas, and Zucchini
Use a vegetable peeler to peel the zucchini lengthwise into thin ribbons, stopping when you get to the very center where it is all seeds. You can use this same technique with carrots and peel long carrot ribbons, or also choose to use half carrots and half zucchini. The zucchini (or carrots or both) sliced this way also make a light, fresh summer salad when tossed raw with lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh herbs.