Mushroom, Lentil and Pancetta Zucchini Pasta with Toasted Almonds

Mushroom, Pancetta & Lentil Zucchini Pasta with Toasted Almonds

Now that I’m back on the meat, I’ve been meaning to make a dish with...

Mushroom, Lentil and Pancetta Zucchini Pasta with Toasted Almonds

Now that I’m back on the meat, I’ve been meaning to make a dish with pancetta, bacon’s Italian cousin. Since pancetta doesn’t have that smokiness that bacon does, it won’t overpower the other flavors in your dish yet adds the succulent and distinct essence of pork. Sign me up!

Originally, this recipe was just going to be lentils and mushrooms, sauteed with olive oil and shallots. Once I made that rendition, I wasn’t wowed – and I want to be wowed every time. Rummaging through my fridge, I found pancetta tucked behind a tub of hummus – I bought it a couple days prior and forgot!

The stars aligned and this dish tastes exactly as I had imagined – every bite is hearty, textured and full-flavored. The warmth of the vegetable broth and nuttiness of the toasted almonds are suitable for the impending fall… just get in your jammies and make this for dinner.

Mission accomplished: I ate pancetta. Check!

 

Mushroom, Pancetta & Lentil Zucchini Pasta with Toasted Almonds

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 2

Ingredients

  • 2.5-3 medium zucchinis peeled, Blade C
  • 1/4 cup dried lentils
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium clove of garlic minced
  • 6 slices of pancetta
  • 2 shallots minced
  • 3 cups of chopped portobello mushrooms
  • 1/4 cup vegetable broth low-sodium
  • 2 tsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp sliced almonds
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Prepare your lentils, according to package directions. Allot about 20-35 minutes for this. When done, set aside.
  • While lentils are cooking, cook the pancetta. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and lay in the pancetta. Cook about 2 minutes per side or until pancetta is to your crispy preference. When done, transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate. Set aside.
  • Ten minutes before the lentils are done, place a large skillet over medium-low heat and add in the olive oil. Add in the garlic, cook for 30 seconds, and then add in the shallots. Cook for 30 seconds and then add in the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper.
  • Cook the mushrooms, shallots and garlic until the mushrooms wilt down and brown, about 6-8 minutes.
  • Halfway through cooking the mushrooms, add in the vegetable broth and reduce. If the broth isn't boiling, raise heat slightly.
  • While broth is reducing, place a skillet over medium heat and add in the almonds. Cook the almonds, about 1-3 minutes or until you can smell their nutty flavor. Be careful not to burn! Set aside once done.
  • After reducing, add in the pancetta and zucchini noodles. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently until the noodles are softened and heated through.
  • Add in the lentils, toss with freshly chopped parsley, and plate onto dishes.
  • Top with toasted almonds and enjoy!

Instructions with Pictures

Prepare your lentils, according to package directions. Allot about 20-35 minutes for this. When done, set aside.

While lentils are cooking, cook the pancetta. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and lay in the pancetta. Cook about 2 minutes per side or until pancetta is to your crispy preference. When done, transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate. Set aside.

Cooking pancetta

Ten minutes before the lentils are done, place a large skillet over medium-low heat and add in the olive oil. Add in the garlic, cook for 30 seconds, and then add in the shallots. Cook for 30 seconds and then add in the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper.

Cook the mushrooms, shallots and garlic until the mushrooms wilt down and brown, about 6-8 minutes.

Mushrooms and Lentils

Halfway through cooking the mushrooms, add in the vegetable broth and reduce. If the broth isn’t boiling, raise heat slightly.

While broth is reducing, place a skillet over medium heat and add in the almonds. Cook the almonds, about 1-3 minutes or until you can smell their nutty flavor. Be careful not to burn! Set aside once done.

After reducing, add in the pancetta and zucchini noodles. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently until the noodles are softened and heated through.

Add in the lentils, toss with freshly chopped parsley, and plate onto dishes.

Top with toasted almonds and enjoy!

Mushroom, Lentil and Pancetta Zucchini Pasta with Toasted Almonds

Mushroom, Lentil and Pancetta Zucchini Pasta with Toasted Almonds

Mushroom, Lentil and Pancetta Zucchini Pasta with Toasted Almonds

Mushroom, Lentil and Pancetta Zucchini Pasta with Toasted Almonds

Mushroom, Lentil and Pancetta Zucchini Pasta with Toasted Almonds

Mushroom, Lentil and Pancetta Zucchini Pasta with Toasted Almonds

 

with love, Ali

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  • I always say, 'Everything is better with bacon' and you've proved it once again! I recently made a very 'meh' dish and know exactly how you felt. It was not something I could fix so it sufficed but then I wanted something better; something worth sharing with my readers. The next dish was it; the difference was like saying, 'Well, it's OK' or shouting from the rooftops, 'This is SO fantastic and you MUST make it.' Glad you did just that!
    • Barb, thanks so much for the sweet note! I'm glad you can relate... it's just not worth it to put out "meh" and "OK" recipes and I want to make sure I can be proud of everything! Just checked out YOUR blog and it looks like you totally get it! Everything looks shout-on-the-rooftops amazing! Thanks for the comment.
  • Hi, could you do a riff Jap-chae (Korean sweet potato starch) with actual sweet potato?
    • I saw this and just wanted to weigh in :) My mom is korean (just for information's sake) and she tried that alternative. It tasted great, but there was something missing about the noddley-ness of the traditional sweet potato noodle. Tasty, though!
  • How would I sub out the lentils being on Paleo, so what fiber outs and protein-packed item could I use instead? Thanks.
    • Becky - the pancetta is already a great source of protein, but you can also add in small cubed roasted sweet potatoes, that would pair well with the nuttiness of the almonds and warmth of the mushrooms.
  • Enjoying this as I type. Very yummy. Thank you for the recipe.
  • I'm tracking calories. Do you have the calorie count for your recipes? I printed the recipes for: Broccoli Rabe Pasta w/ Spicy Sausage Shrimp Zucchini Pasta Puttanesca Mushroom, Pancetta & Lentil Zucchini Pasta w/Toasted Almonds