Cantaloupe and Pancetta Cream Sauce for Pasta

Ingredients for Cantaloupe and Pancetta Cream Sauce for Pasta

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 60g sliced pancetta, diced

• 40g minced shallot

• 450g diced ripe cantaloupe (from 1 medium cantaloupe)

• 120ml double cream

• 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more for garnish

• 1 teaspoon minced fresh marjoram leaves

• 230g spaghetti rigati, linguine, or fettucine

• 60g freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium- high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring frequently, until it is crisp and has rendered most of its fat, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the shallot and cook, stirring, until softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, and when it has melted, add the melon. Cook, stirring frequently, until the melon completely breaks down and forms a smooth, thick sauce, 8 to 10 minutes.

Add the double cream, salt, pepper, and marjoram, and cook until the cream has reduced by half and the sauce has a smooth, thick consistency that coats the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat.

Add the pasta to the boiling water, stir well, and cook until al dente (about 10 minutes). Drain well, reserving 120ml the pasta cooking water.

Add the hot pasta and 60ml the Parmesan to the warm sauce. Return the pan to medium heat, and toss until the pasta is nicely coated with sauce and heated through. Should the sauce seem too thick, add a bit of the pasta cooking water to help toss the pasta and thin the sauce.

Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with the remaining Parmesan cheese and with freshly ground black pepper.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.