Rustic Pasta Salad with Smoked Bacon Cubes
- Lactose Free
- Energy Kcal 517
- Carbohydrates g 74.9
- of which sugars g 7.9
- Protein g 16.5
- Fats g 16.9
- of which saturated fat g 3.66
- Fiber g 7.5
- Cholesterol mg 16
- Sodium mg 793
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Prep time: 10 min
- Cook time: 20 min
- Serving: 4
- Cost: Low
PRESENTATION
The Insalata di pasta rustica e cubetti di pancetta affumicata is, honestly, the kind of rustic pasta salad that just makes any table feel brighter, especially on those warm and sunny days. I mean, across Italy, you see people bringing this out for picnics, backyard lunches, or big family gatherings. Why? Because it really really feels perfect for those cheerful occasions.
Plus, the mix of colorful veggies—like cherry tomatoes, peppers, crisp cucumbers, and maybe some peas—adds a lot of fresh crunch. And the pancetta? Well, those cubes of smoked pancetta give it a savory punch you don’t find in regular cold salads. Unlike other pasta salads that can be heavy or bland, this one keeps things pretty light yet hearty enough to satisfy everyone. Seriously good stuff. It strikes that perfect balance where you enjoy all the goodness of pasta without feeling weighed down, even in the heat.
Italians really adore how this pasta salad recipe keeps it simple, focusing on letting the ingredients shine. No need for fancy sauces—just a quick toss with olive oil, a splash of vinegar, and some fresh herbs like basil or parsley. Works great. That’s the secret to an amazing traditional Italian pasta salad—let the tender veggies and the smoky pancetta do their magic. Often made ahead of time, the flavors meld even better, which is great for easy dinners or bringing to a friend’s cookout.
The juicy veggies blend with the salty, crispy pancetta bits, and every bite feels like a little taste of summer. For anyone who enjoys a pasta salad with pancetta that has a moist texture and a golden look from all those veggies, this one really stands out. It's a classic, for sure—a reason it’s so popular. Simple, colorful, and always a crowd-pleaser, especially when you want to add a touch of Italian sunshine to your meal. Whether you’re dining al fresco or just dreaming of the Italian countryside, this salad brings a slice of that bright atmosphere to your table.
- INGREDIENTS
- Fusilli pasta 11.25 oz (320 g)
- Smoked pancetta 3.5 oz (100 g) - cubed
- Precooked red beans ¾ cup (200 g)
- Zucchini 1.6 cups (200 g)
- Red peppers 1
- Yellow peppers 1
- Fresh chili pepper 1 - to chop
- Parsley 1 sprig - to chop
- Thyme 1 sprig - to chop
- Chives 4 fili - to chop
- Saffron 1 bag
How to prepare Rustic Pasta Salad with Smoked Bacon Cubes
To prepare the rustic pasta salad, wash the peppers, cut them in half, remove the seeds and the white inner filaments, then cut them into strips 1, wash, trim the zucchini and cut them into strips as well 2. In a pan, brown the diced smoked bacon for a few minutes 3,
then add the peppers 4, the zucchini, a whole clove of garlic 5 (you can remove it later), and the chopped aromatic herbs 6.
Add the chopped red chili pepper 7. Cook for 10 minutes over high heat. Now drain the red beans (precooked) from their preserving water 8 (if using dried beans, you will need to soak them in water for 12 hours and then boil them) and pour them into the pan with the vegetables 9. Continue cooking for a couple of minutes: the vegetables should not fall apart but remain crunchy. Then remove the clove of garlic and let them cool.
Bring a pot full of salted water to a boil, take a teaspoon of hot water to dissolve the saffron (10-11), and then pour it into the cooking water. Add the pasta and cook it for the time indicated on the package 12.
Drain the pasta until al dente 13 and place it in a large bowl, dress with a drizzle of olive oil and let it cool. Finally, add the sautéed vegetables 14, mix the rustic pasta salad and serve it warm or even cold 15!