This classic Italian Paglia e Fieno (straw and hay) dish combines egg and spinach fettuccine with a rich, creamy Parmigiano-Reggiano sauce, crispy shallots, and savory prosciutto. A luxurious yet easy pasta recipe perfect for a cozy dinner
For the Pasta:
½ lb dried egg fettuccine
½ lb dried spinach fettuccine
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp olive oil
1 shallot, minced
5 oz cubed prosciutto
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated
1 cup fresh or frozen peas (thawed if frozen)
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Crispy Shallots:
2 shallots, thinly sliced into rounds
1 cup neutral oil (vegetable or avocado)
Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon)
Make the Crispy Shallots:
Add the sliced shallots and oil to a small saucepan or skillet. Bring heat to medium-low/medium and fry, stirring occasionally, until golden brown (about 10 minutes). Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Season with flaky sea salt and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce:
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with olive oil. Add minced shallots and prosciutto; cook for 3 minutes. Pour in the cream, stir, and simmer until slightly thickened (about 5 minutes).
Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook fettuccine 2 minutes less than package instructions for al dente. Add peas to the pasta water 2 minutes before the pasta is done.
Combine:
Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to transfer pasta and peas into the sauce. Add ½ cup pasta cooking water and ½ cup cheese, tossing to coat. Simmer until sauce thickens and pasta reaches al dente (about 2 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve:
Top with remaining cheese, crispy shallots, and freshly cracked black pepper. Enjoy immediately!
Adjust salt and pepper to taste after combining the pasta with the sauce.
For extra crunch, you can add more crispy shallots on top.
Use high-quality Parmigiano-Reggiano for the best flavor.