I know you’ve all heard of drunken pasta. Typically, it’s pasta that has been boiled in red wine. In theory it’s a good idea right, wine, pasta. Yes please. Well it’s yes until the plate arrives in front of you (at least for me). We eat with our eyes first, and red wine turns the pasta in this deathly looking greyish purple hue that’s completely unappetizing. Unless you use WHITE wine. Ding ding ding. Do you hear the bell going off in your head?
I wish I could tell you how much of a genius I am for coming up with this idea on my own. BUT I can’t. I actually saw this in an old issue of Cooks Illustrated and the minute I saw white wine the bell started ringing. I took their concept and tweaked it a tad (I can’t ever leave good enough alone). I used a lot less wine than their recipe called for (don’t worry the rest didn’t go to waste we enjoyed it with the pasta) so technically I should have called it tipsy pasta but that doesn’t have the same ring to it so pfft.
I could also tell you how slurp-worthy this pasta is, but then you would know I slurp my pasta and we can’t have that. Ha.
Disclaimer: I am a contributor for Parade .
Drunken Pasta with Pancetta
Drunken Pasta with Pancetta
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 5 slices pancetta - diced
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cups dry white wine
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 cup fresh baby arugula
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat oil and pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until crispy. Using slotted spoon transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
- Remove all but 1 tablespoon of the grease. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for approximately 1 minute.
- Add wine, increase heat to medium-high. Cook until wine has reduced by half.
- WHILE sauce is reducing, place a large pot of generously salted water onto boil. Add pasta and cook until pasta is flexible (will be very al dente).
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain pasta
- Add pasta to wine mixture. Toss to combine. Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water, arugula, cream and cheese. Toss to combine.
- Continue tossing and cooking until pasta has reached al dente.
- Garnish with additional arugula and cheese if desired. Serve immediately.
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Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
Lora @cakeduchess says
I’ve been dreaming of this since I caught it earlier today on FB…Che buona!!
Meredith says
Seriously. I just fell over in my chair!
Angie says
OMG, This is too amazing. I need a huge bowl of this right now!
Taylor says
Paula This looks delicious and a great idea! I love the styling of the pasta also!
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
Yes! Brilliant idea. I love drunken pasta but have never tried with white wine.
katie says
Yum! I love everything about this drunken pasta!
Diane (createdbydiane) says
I could eat pasta everyday and well drunken pasta will certainly be making it’s way into the rotation!
Jerry | Simply Good Eating says
Sounds great! I could probably get 2nd and 3rd plates of this.
Aggie says
This looks so delicious!!
The Café Sucre Farine says
HI Paula!
I think I must be living in the stone age but I’ve never heard of drunken pasta. Your version looks so good.
I think we are soul sisters when it comes to cooking as I frequently get accused of never leaving well enough alone! 🙂
Hope to see you soon, I’m out of town this week but maybe next week???
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective says
Love pasta, but drunken… You’ve just taken this to a whole new level! 🙂
Kate@Diethood says
That looks wonderful! And it’s drunk – double wonderful!!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
This is over the top amazing!
Tracy | Peanut Butter and Onion says
This looks so simple and yummy…. always looking for really good pasta dishes… love your pictures
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet says
Yum Paula. Not that I’m a lush or anything – but you had me at Drunken. {wink}
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste says
Oh my word. Where do I order this from? I can’t seem to find the lunch delivery form on your site 🙂
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Ooooo…I want to try this. Sounds fantastic!!
Ali | Gimme Some Oven says
I adore drunken pastas! And this definitely sounds prettier than the grey-ish red version. 😉 YUM!
Jen says
I honestly could eat pasta everyday (just had it yesterday, haha!). This looks fabulous!
Sabrina says
I can already tell that there will definitely not be any leftovers after this meal! Yum!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
I never liked the color the red wine gave the pasta! This is genius!
Amanda | The Chunky Chef says
You had me at drunken 😉 Seriously, this pasta looks incredible!!
carrie @ frugal foodie mama says
Ummmmmm…. I think I need to start boiling my pasta in wine now! 😉 Looks delicious!
Jessica | Novice Chef says
This is right up my alley! Cannot wait to try it!
Krista says
I LOVE the way you plated the pasta! It is so cool and pretty!