Healthy Spring Pasta

Spaghetti with Asparagus, Mozzarella and Pancetta

(recipe adapted from Giada De Laurentiis)

*6 to 8 servings. Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 15 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds asparagus, trimmed
• 3/4 pound spaghetti
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 6 ounces thinly sliced pancetta (cooked)
• 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, diced (about 1 cup)
• 6 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Directions:

1. Cook pancetta in a sauté pan until slightly crispy, set aside.

2. Cook the asparagus in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. With a spider or slotted spoon, remove asparagus from boiling water to a bowl of ice water to cool and stop the cooking. When cool, cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces, and set aside.

3. Return the water in the pot to a boil, adding additional water if necessary. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.

4. Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add asparagus to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the pasta, and if needed, some of the reserved cooking liquid. Toss to coat. Add the prosciutto, mozzarella and basil, and toss to combine. Turn off the heat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

Key Things To Keep In Mind:

*Feel free to substitute pancetta with prosciutto (uncooked if you want) or bacon.

*If you’d like a bit more of a bite to your mozzarella, substitute smoked mozzarella

*Whole wheat pasta is easily interchangeable

Images: (1) Meal Planning 101 (2) Simply Luxurious