Weight Watchers Pancetta Pasta is one of those meals that’s always a hit—because honestly, who’s saying no to pasta? Not in my house! Even the pickiest eaters can’t resist a warm, comforting bowl of cheesy, savory goodness. This lighter take on a classic pancetta pasta still brings all the flavor and satisfaction, just with fewer points. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick, cozy, and totally crowd-pleasing—without straying from your WW goals.
Enter the Weight Watchers Pasta with Peas and Pancetta. It is perfect as a slimming lunch or dinner for those wanting to count their calories or adhere to an eating plan like Weight Watchers. And what’s more, it only takes 30 minutes to make which is ideal for a busy week or if you aren’t in the mood to make an elaborate meal.
This is 8 points per serving.
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💖 Why This Recipe Works
- Rich & Flavorful: Weight Watchers Pancetta Pasta is a delicious, savory dish with a perfect balance of flavors.
- Low in Points: Enjoy a hearty pasta meal without the guilt, fitting easily into your WW plan.
- Perfectly Savory: The pancetta adds a crispy, salty bite that elevates the whole pasta dish.
What Is Pancetta?
Pancetta is Italian cured pork belly - the equivalent of streaky bacon. It has a deep, strong and salty flavour and comes either smoked or unsmoked. Pancetta makes a great addition to pasta and add's plenty of flavour and punch to a recipe. You don't need a whole ton of pancetta either. You can just add a small amount to flavour up your pasta dish!
Adding Peas To Pasta
While some might find it odd to add peas to a pasta recipe, I can tell you that these little veggies add so much flavour to the dish while the crushed red pepper, parsley and lemon gives it that extra kick. It’ll definitely be a new pasta recipe that you will be returning to!
Here’s what you are going to need to make this delicious Italian dish:
Equipment & Supplies
- Stockpot
- Large cast-iron skillet
- Measuring cups
- Paper towels
- 1 Large plate
🥚Ingredients for Pancetta Pasta
- ¾ Lb. Spaghetti (thin)
- Salt
- Olive Oil
- 4-oz of Bacon (cut into pieces)
- 1 Shallot (thinly sliced)
- 2 Cups of Frozen Peas (thawed)
- 8 Large Garlic Cloves (minced)
- Black Pepper
- 2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper (divided)
- 1 Bunch Parsley (chopped)
- 1 Lemon (zested and juiced)
- Parmesan Cheese (grated)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yields: 6 servings
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🌈 Substitutions and Variations
- Pasta Swap: Switch regular spaghetti for whole-grain or gluten-free pasta to boost fiber and accommodate dietary needs.
- Veggie Boost: Sneak in extra veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to amp up the nutrition.
- Meatless Marvel: Ditch the pancetta and bacon; toss in sautéed mushrooms or plant-based bacon for a vegetarian version.
🔪How to Cook Pancetta Pasta
Line a large plate with paper towels.
Add both the salt and a slight amount of olive oil to a pot of water big enough to hold the spaghetti.
Bring the water to a boil.
Cook the pasta following its package instructions.
Before draining the water from the pot scoop out about 1 cup of water and set it aside for later.
Drain the rest of the water from the pasta.
Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the bacon pieces and fry the bacon until fully cooked and brown. Toss the bacon pieces often.
Take the bacon pieces out of the skillet placing it on the lined plate.
Replace the skillet on the stovetop and set it on medium heat. Add 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat the skillet with the oil until it has a shimmer but not smoking.
Slowly add the shallots, peas, salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper. Increase the stovetop heat to a medium-high, cooking for about 5 minutes. Toss often.
Add the garlic and parsley and cook for another 3 minutes. (Check to make sure that the peas are fully cooked).
Return the bacon pieces to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and ¾ cup of the pasta water. Add in the rest of the crushed red pepper, lemon zest and juice and toss to combine.
Add the grated cheese to the pasta. Start out with 3-4 tablespoons and add more if you desire. Taste test for salt and pepper.
Transfer the combined ingredients to a serving plate or to individual serving bowls and enjoy!
A Vegetarian Take on This Pasta Dish
Now, if you are vegetarian or looking for a veggie-only pasta dish, this recipe can easily be adapted by substituting the bacon with a meat substitute such as Quorn. Some have even added nuts in place of the meat.
Adding some mushrooms to this Weight Watchers pasta recipe is also a great way to increase the vegetable content and they are particularly complementary to most pasta recipes.
Just make sure that you adjust your seasoning if you do remove the bacon from the recipe as bacon is naturally quite salty.
Weight Watchers Pancetta Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment & Supplies
- Stockpot
- Large cast-iron skillet
- Measuring cups
- Paper towels
- 1 Large plate
Ingredients For Pancetta Pasta
- ¾ Lb. Spaghetti thin
- Salt
- Olive Oil
- 4- oz of Bacon cut into pieces
- 1 Shallot thinly sliced
- 2 Cups of Frozen Peas thawed
- 8 Large Garlic Cloves minced
- Black Pepper
- 2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper divided
- 1 Bunch Parsley chopped
- 1 Lemon zested and juiced
- Parmesan Cheese grated
Instructions
- Line a large plate with paper towels.
- Add both the salt and a slight amount of olive oil to a pot of water big enough to hold the spaghetti.
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta following its package instructions.
- Before draining the water from the pot scoop out about 1 cup of water and set it aside for later.
- Drain the rest of the water from the pasta.
- Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the bacon pieces and fry the bacon until fully cooked and brown. Toss the bacon pieces often.
- Take the bacon pieces out of the skillet placing it on the lined plate.
- Replace the skillet on the stovetop and set it on medium heat. Add 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat the skillet with the oil until it has a shimmer but not smoking.
- Slowly add the shallots, peas, salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper. Increase the stovetop heat to a medium-high, cooking for about 5 minutes. Toss often.
- Add the garlic and parsley and cook for another 3 minutes. (Check to make sure that the peas are fully cooked).
- Return the bacon pieces to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and ¾ cup of the pasta water. Add in the rest of the crushed red pepper, lemon zest and juice and toss to combine.
- Add the grated cheese to the pasta. Start out with 3-4 tablespoons and add more if you desire. Taste test for salt and pepper.
- Transfer the combined ingredients to a serving plate or to individual serving bowls and enjoy!
Interested in More Weight Watchers Recipes?
If you’ve had a look around my blog, you will see that I post a lot of Weight Watchers recipes that my readers love! You may want to see more of these slimming and delicious recipes that will keep you on track with your goals and keep your tastebuds satisfied.
- If you’re new to Weight Watchers don’t forget to read our fantastic guide: Getting Started On Weight Watchers. We also have the following posts which you may love.
- The Pros and Cons Of Weight Watchers
- Free Weight Watchers Online Calculator
- Weight Watchers Vegetable And Cucumber Bites
- Weight Watchers Low Point Soup Recipes
- Weight Watchers Macaroni Salad Recipe
- WW Slow Cooker Beef Stew
- Four Bean Salad On Weight Watchers Plan
- 41 Fantastic Weight Watchers Recipes
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- For a lighter touch, swap regular spaghetti for whole wheat or zucchini noodles.
- Boost flavor by sautéing shallots and garlic before mixing them in—game changer!
- Want it spicier? Add a pinch of chili flakes to the mix.
💭 FAQs
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat thoroughly before consuming.
Absolutely! Feel free to swap spaghetti for your preferred pasta shape, keeping in mind that cooking times may vary.
Replace the pancetta with a plant-based alternative like tempeh or sautéed mushrooms for a hearty vegetarian version.
It's best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze the cooked pasta (without the cheese) in an airtight container for up to a month. Thaw and reheat before serving.
💖 Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite treats to serve with Weight Watchers pancetta pasta:
- Garlic Breadsticks: Warm, whole-grain breadsticks brushed with garlic butter make a delightful accompaniment.
- Caesar Salad: A lightened-up Caesar salad with romaine lettuce, shaved Parmesan, and a yogurt-based dressing adds a crisp, refreshing element.
- Roasted Vegetables: Oven-roasted Brussels sprouts or asparagus tossed in olive oil and herbs provide a savory side that complements the pasta.
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what are the weight watcher points for this recipe?
8 points per serving.