Creamy Fava Bean Pasta with Guanciale

Ingredients

• 250g (9 oz) fava beans, shelled 250g (9 oz) fava beans, shelled
• 200g (7 oz) guanciale, thinly sliced 200g (7 oz) guanciale, thinly sliced
• 300g (10.5 oz) pasta of your choice 300g (10.5 oz) pasta of your choice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 1/2 cup (120ml) chicken or vegetable broth 1/2 cup (120ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 550 kcal / 2300 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 32g, 15g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 48g, 4g
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fava beans for 3-4 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a large skillet, cook the guanciale over medium heat until crispy. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. 3.
   Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
5. 5.
   Add the cooked fava beans to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, mashing them slightly with a fork.
6. 6.
   Pour in the heavy cream and chicken or vegetable broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
7. 7.
   Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until well coated with the sauce.
8. 8.
   Serve the pasta topped with crispy guanciale, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fava beans — Make sure to shell the fava beans before cooking. If fresh fava beans are not available, you can use frozen ones as a substitute.
• Guanciale — If guanciale is not available, you can use pancetta or bacon as a substitute. However, keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different.

Tips & Tricks

• For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of spiciness.
• Garnish with lemon zest for a refreshing twist.
• Experiment with different types of pasta shapes to add variety to the dish.
• Serve with a side of garlic bread to complement the flavors.

Serving advice

Serve the creamy fava bean pasta with guanciale hot, garnished with fresh parsley. Accompany it with a side of garlic bread and a crisp green salad for a complete meal.

Presentation advice

Plate the pasta neatly, ensuring that the fava beans and guanciale are evenly distributed. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top and garnish with a sprig of fresh parsley for an appealing presentation.