Creamy vodka pasta with crispy pancetta – easy Italian recipe

An easy and irresistible recipe using La San Marzano’s Vodka Sauce — creamy, rich, and full of flavor. All you need to do is cook the pasta, add a crispy touch, and let the sauce shine.

Ingredients (serves 2–3)

• 1 jar of La San Marzano Vodka Sauce

• 200g (7 oz) penne pasta

• 100g (3.5 oz) pancetta, diced (or thick-cut bacon)

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt (for pasta water)

• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

• Optional: grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Cook the pasta:
  Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook until al dente. Reserve a bit of pasta water before draining.

• Crisp the pancetta:
  In a pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced pancetta and cook until golden and crispy. Set aside on a paper towel to keep it crunchy.

• Heat the sauce:
  In the same pan (leave a little pancetta fat for extra flavor!), pour in the La San Marzano Vodka Sauce. Let it simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until warm and velvety.

• Combine everything:
  Add the drained pasta to the sauce, toss to coat, and if needed, add a splash of pasta water to make it even creamier.

• Serve it right:
  Plate the pasta, top it with crispy pancetta, and finish with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of Parmesan if you like.

Secret Tip

Want to take it to the next level? Let the pasta sit in the sauce for 1–2 minutes on low heat before serving. It helps absorb all the flavor and gives you that creamy restaurant-style texture. And remember — the star here is the Vodka Sauce by La San Marzano, so don’t overcomplicate it. Let it do the magic.