Peas and Pancetta is a delicious and easy Italian side dish that comes together fast! Made with frozen peas, diced pancetta, and sliced shallots.

Peas and Pancetta piled high on a white plate.

This is the perfect side to dish to serve with your Italian dinner. Peas and Pancetta is a traditional Italian side dish that’s so easy to make and such a crowd pleaser.

If you’ve never had Peas and Pancetta, the name says it all! It’s simply fried pancetta and shallots tossed with peas and seasoned with salt and pepper.

This is an excellent recipe to serve for a brunch – it’s great at room temperature. Or serve it on the side of your favorite Italian dinner, like Stuffed Shells or Italian Turkey Sausage Meatballs. Or, save it for a special occasion and serve with this Italian Roast Turkey recipe!

So next time you are looking for a quick and delicious Italian side dish, be sure to try this recipe. Read on to see how quick and easy this recipe is.

Overhead photo of peas and pancetta in a white dish with a checkered towel underneath.

Peas and Pancetta Recipe

This simple side dish comes together in minutes and is so simple to make. Plus, you only need a few ingredients for this recipe: frozen peas, diced pancetta, a shallot, and olive oil.

bag of frozen peas, diced pancetta, olive oil, and shallot on a checkered napkin.

Firstly, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Then, add in the olive oil, diced pancetta, and sliced shallots. With the pancetta, you can often find it already diced in the deli section of the grocery store. You could also buy a 4 ounce slice of it from the deli and cube it yourself.

bacon and onions in the pan.

Cook the pancetta and shallots until the pancetta crisps up and the shallots soften. Then, add in the peas. They can be frozen or thawed. If using frozen, just add to the cooking time slightly.

the recipe in a pan with a wooden spoon

Lastly, add kosher salt and black pepper to taste. The pancetta can be salty so wait before adding salt. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Recipe Substitutions

Pancetta may be difficult to find depending on where you live. However, it has become more common place at the grocery store. I like to use the pre-diced variety you can find in the deli section. Trader Joe’s also has sells diced pancetta in their stores.

If you can’t find pancetta, diced bacon or thick prosciutto would be a good substitute. To make dicing these meats easier, freeze them for about 10 minutes before cutting.

As for the shallots, you can always substitute about ½ cup of thinly sliced onion. Use sweet, white, or red onion if you have it.

More Simple Side Dishes

Be sure to check out these other simple side dishes that are great for any occasion:

Broccoli Cranberry Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing

Pinwheel Bread Rolls with Bacon and Parmesan

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Cacio e Pepe Mashed Potatoes

Italian Roasted Potatoes

Mashed Potato Casserole with Ricotta and Parmesan

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic

Italian Tomato Onion Salad

Hope you love this recipe! Be sure to comment if you try it.

Peas and Pancetta piled high on a white plate.

Peas and Pancetta

This traditional Italian side dish is easy to make and comes together quick. Great served warm or at room temperature.
5 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: peas, peas and pancetta, side dish
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 14 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 151kcal
Cost: 5-7

Equipment

  • skillet

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 ounces pancetta, diced
  • 1 large shallot, peeled and sliced thin
  • 16 ounce bag frozen peas
  • kosher salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add in diced pancetta and sliced shallots and cook until pancetta is crispy and shallots are browned; about 5 minutes.
    bacon and onions in the pan.
  • Pour in peas (frozen or thawed work). Continue cooking until peas are warmed through. Season with salt and pepper.
    peas and pancetta

Video

Notes

If you can’t find pancetta, you can use diced prosciutto or bacon. Also, you can substitute thinly sliced onion for the shallot. 

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcal
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!
Peas and Pancetta.
5 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is the best combo ever for a simple, yet tasty side! Loved the flavors and will definitely make pretty often.

  2. 5 stars
    I had everything on hand, except my shallot had seen better days, so used thinly sliced onion. Then I had some cauliflower and spinach gnocchi in the freezer I needed to use, so cooked that and sautéed it in when it was done. It was delicious both ways.

  3. 5 stars
    I made this last Christmas for 24 people and it is so easy and fast to do and so delicioius…….I hated peas my entire life but these are truly wonderful. Making them again for Thanksgiving this year and Christmas. I will try to make ahead of time and serve at room temperature. Thanks for the great recipe !