Pasta Salad with Melon, Pancetta, and Ricotta Salata

Health score
2%
Pasta Salad with Melon, Pancetta, and Ricotta Salata
30 min.
4
291kcal

Suggestions


Looking for a refreshing and unique dish to elevate your next gathering? Look no further than this delightful Pasta Salad with Melon, Pancetta, and Ricotta Salata! This vibrant salad combines the sweetness of fresh melon with the savory crunch of crispy pancetta, creating a perfect balance of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

In just 30 minutes, you can whip up this stunning side dish that’s not only visually appealing but also packed with deliciousness. The ear-shaped orecchiette pasta serves as the ideal base, allowing the dressing and ingredients to cling beautifully. Tossed with fragrant fresh mint and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes, this salad is a celebration of summer flavors that can be enjoyed as an antipasti, starter, or even a light snack.

With each bite, you’ll experience the creamy richness of ricotta salata, which adds a delightful saltiness that complements the other ingredients perfectly. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply looking to impress at a dinner party, this Pasta Salad with Melon, Pancetta, and Ricotta Salata is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So grab your apron and get ready to indulge in a dish that’s as satisfying as it is sophisticated!

Ingredients

  • servings pepper black freshly ground
  • 0.3 cup mint leaves fresh divided coarsely chopped
  • servings kosher salt 
  • 3.5 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin extra-virgin
  • ounces orecchiette (ear-shaped
  • ounces pancetta italian thinly sliced ( bacon)
  • pinch pepper red crushed
  • ounce pecorino salted dry crumbled shaved ( ricotta)
  • tablespoons spring onion thinly sliced
  • 2.5 tablespoons citrus champagne vinegar 

Equipment

  • bowl
  • baking sheet
  • paper towels
  • oven
  • whisk
  • microwave

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F. Arrange pancetta in asingle layer on a large rimmed baking sheet.
  2. Bake until brown and crisp, 20–25 minutes.(Alternatively, place pancetta on foldedlayers of paper towels on a microwave-proofplate and microwave on high until brownand crisp, about 5 minutes.)
  3. Let pancettastand until cool enough to handle, thenbreak into bite-size pieces.
  4. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a medium potof boiling salted water, stirring occasionally,until al dente.
  5. Drain pasta; run under coldwater to cool.
  6. Drain and set aside.
  7. Whisk oil and vinegar in a large bowl.
  8. Add half of pancetta, cooked pasta, melon,half of mint, scallion, and red pepper flakes.Toss to coat. Season to taste with salt andpepper.
  9. Transfer to a serving dish andsprinkle remaining pancetta and mint over.
  10. Garnish with shaved ricotta salata.
  11. Per serving: 320 calories, 20 g fat, 2 g fiber
  12. Bon Appétit

Nutrition Facts

Calories291kcal
Protein9.01%
Fat59.86%
Carbs31.13%

Properties

Glycemic Index
33.25
Glycemic Load
8.65
Inflammation Score
-3
Nutrition Score
6.622608717369%

Flavonoids

Eriodictyol
1.16mg
Hesperetin
0.38mg
Apigenin
0.21mg
Luteolin
0.49mg
Kaempferol
0.06mg
Quercetin
0.48mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:291.08kcal
14.55%
Fat:19.27g
29.65%
Saturated Fat:4.25g
26.59%
Carbohydrates:22.56g
7.52%
Net Carbohydrates:21.2g
7.71%
Sugar:0.88g
0.98%
Cholesterol:12.97mg
4.32%
Sodium:298.59mg
12.98%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:6.52g
13.05%
Selenium:21.83µg
31.19%
Manganese:0.33mg
16.56%
Vitamin K:16.99µg
16.18%
Vitamin E:1.9mg
12.66%
Phosphorus:90.58mg
9.06%
Vitamin B3:1.15mg
5.76%
Magnesium:21.99mg
5.5%
Fiber:1.36g
5.43%
Copper:0.11mg
5.41%
Vitamin A:248.91IU
4.98%
Zinc:0.71mg
4.76%
Vitamin B1:0.07mg
4.75%
Iron:0.84mg
4.65%
Vitamin B6:0.09mg
4.47%
Potassium:138.12mg
3.95%
Calcium:35.02mg
3.5%
Vitamin B2:0.06mg
3.31%
Folate:13.13µg
3.28%
Vitamin C:2.09mg
2.53%
Vitamin B5:0.23mg
2.34%
Vitamin B12:0.09µg
1.58%
Source:Epicurious