Pasta with Asparagus Tips and Crispy Pancetta

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add dry spaghetti pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes.
3. While pasta cooks, heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
4. Add pancetta slices to the skillet and cook until crispy, about 4 minutes per side.
5. Remove pancetta from skillet and place on paper towels to drain excess fat.
6. In the same skillet with pancetta fat, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
7. Add asparagus tips to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until tender but still crisp.
8. Drain cooked pasta reserving 60 ml of pasta water.
9. Add drained pasta to skillet with asparagus and garlic.
10. Toss pasta with asparagus and garlic, adding reserved pasta water gradually to create a light sauce.
11. Crumble crispy pancetta and add to pasta, tossing gently to combine.
12. Remove skillet from heat and stir in extra virgin olive oil and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
13. Season with salt and a pinch of ground black pepper to taste.
14. Serve pasta hot with extra parmesan cheese if desired.