This Penne al Baffo is coated in a concentrated tomato and cream sauce with garlic, shallot, thin-sliced pancetta, and topped with parsley. It is an extra decadent dish everyone will love!
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Why You'll Love This Dish
"Baffo" means "mustache" or "whiskers" in Italian. I have been told the name for this recipe comes from the phrase "so good you'll lick your whiskers," which I find pretty unbearably cute.
A direct quote from my boyfriend (who has a mustache): "This is my favorite pasta you've ever made."
This is a big deal. I have made him countless marinaras, pestos, puttanesca, cream sauces, manicotti from scratch. But this recipe is the winner.
You will love the rich, creamy sauce tempered by the bright, concentrated tomato paste, lightly sweet shallots, salty pancetta, and savory garlic. Parsley adds just a bit of freshness and earthiness to this wonderfully comforting dish.
I recommend using a high-quality tomato paste and full-fat heavy cream for this dish. It's not the time to cut corners - commit to the decadence! I use double-concentrated tomato paste and regular heavy cream.
To make this dish vegetarian, just omit the pancetta.
What You'll Need
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- Pancetta I like to use thin-sliced pancetta. If you cannot find pancetta, try a prosciutto, ham, or even bacon. If you'd like a different texture to your pasta, you can try cubed pancetta or ham instead.
- Tomato Paste A good-quality, double-concentrated tomato paste is excellent here. I've made this with regular, generic brand tomato paste too, though, and it's still amazing.
- Penne You could also use a mostaccioli, rigatoni, or other short tube pasta.
- Shallot This would work with a sweet onion or yellow onion as well. If using onion, use a small onion or half of a larger onion.
- Fresh Garlic
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil This is my favorite brand.
- Kosher Salt I always recommend Diamond Crystal kosher salt when cooking. The shape of the salt is more of a flake than a cube. It is easier to coat food evenly, harder to oversalt, and it has an overall preferable flavor.
- Fresh Parsley If you aren't a fan, try some fresh basil instead.
How to Make Penne al Baffo
Step One Finely chop the garlic and shallot. If it is not already, slice your pancetta into bite-sized pieces.
Step Two Add olive oil, garlic, and shallot to a frying pan over medium-low to medium heat. Sweat until the shallot is transparent.
Step Three Add the pancetta and cook for a few more minutes.
Step Four Add the tomato paste and cook for a few more minutes.
Step Five Add the cream and switch the heat to medium-low or low. Stir often.
Step Six In the meantime, set a salted pot of water to boil. Cook the penne to one minute less than the lower time on the box instructions - usually 10 minutes.
Step Seven Add the pasta to the sauce. Add a small amount of pasta water if the sauce has gotten too thick. Garnish with parsley and serve!
FAQ
Penne al Baffo is a pasta dish with tomato and cream sauce and a pork product - often ham. Here we have used pancetta as we found the end product more nuanced, richer, and more savory.
I do not recommend making this in advance. If you have leftovers, try storing the pasta and sauce separately to maintain the pasta's texture and reheat separately. See "How to Store" section for more details.
I do not recommend freezing this dish. The texture of the pasta and the sauce will both be impacted negatively by freezing. Try to eat the whole thing right after making!
Of course. Try any short tube-shaped pasta here, like rigatoni, ziti, or mostaccioli.
Absolutely! Just omit the pancetta and use a pinch of salt in its place.
Variations
Different Fresh Herb Try some fresh basil instead of parsley!
Different Meat If you can't find pancetta, try prosciutto, ham, or even bacon.
Cheese Add a bit of parmesan, pecorino, or mozzarella at the end for an even more decadent, cheesy dinner. Don't go too crazy, though - the dish is already on the salty side.
How to Store
I recommend eating this dish right after it is cooked. I do not like pasta reheated as the texture becomes mushy or dry. If you plan to make this dish in advance, store the pasta and sauce separately.
You can also reheat the sauce on the stove and the pasta in the microwave with a damp paper towel over the top for 1 minute or less.
Cooked pasta should last for 5 days. The sauce should last for 5 to 7 days in the fridge.
I do not recommend freezing this sauce. It will separate, change textures, and just be generally sad.
Tip: The ingredients for this dish actually last longer in the fridge before they are cooked/prepared.
Expert Tips
- Cook the pasta for one minute less than the lower time suggested on the box. This will result in al dente pasta that won't become overcooked when it is mixed into the sauce.
- Watch your temperature closely as you are making the sauce. You want your shallots and garlic to sweat, not brown, or your resulting sauce will become bitter.
- Taste! When your sauce has finished cooking, be sure to taste it before serving. It seems like such a simple tip, but many people forget to do this. In this step, you'll be able to see if you need a pinch more salt before it hits the table.
How to Serve
This pasta is fantastic on its own. If you'd like to add a vegetable to your meal, try:
Simple Side Salad Try a simply dressed salad with few components to complement this dish.
Greens Some simply sautéed greens would be a fantastic side.
Roasted Vegetables Try this roasted tenderstem broccoli!
Added Protein You could also add a protein like a piece of grilled chicken, shrimp, or some white beans to add more body to the meal.
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📖 Recipe
Penne al Baffo
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne
- 1 shallot finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 3 ounces thin-sliced pancetta sliced in half lengthwise, then thin sliced into bite-sized pieces
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ⅔ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2-4 tablespoons parsley
- 1 pinch kosher salt large, for salting the pasta water
Instructions
- Place a large pot of water on the stove to boil. Salt the water.
- Place a frying pan on medium-low to medium heat. Add the olive oil, shallot and garlic. Cook until softened and shallots are translucent, stirring often, about 5 minutes. If garlic starts to color, turn down the heat.
- Add pancetta and cook until some of the fat renders, 3-4 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- When the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook until just al dente (usually 1 minute less than the lower time suggested in the box directions). Reserve some pasta water.
- Add the cream. Once the cream comes to a simmer, turn heat to medium-low or low and cook for 5-10 minutes while the pasta cooks, stirring often to ensure the sauce does not get too thick. You want the sauce to coat the back of a spoon.
- Add the al dente pasta to the sauce and toss to combine. If the sauce has gotten a bit too thick, add a scoop of the pasta water and stir until you reach the desired consistency.
- Taste for seasoning. If needed, add a bit of salt.
- Ladle the pasta into bowls, top with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- This recipe makes 4 small portions or 2 large portions. Calories listed are for 4 portions.
- If you cannot find pancetta, feel free to use prosciutto, ham, or even bacon.
- To make this dish vegetarian, just omit the pancetta.
- Instead of shallot, you can use sweet or yellow onion. Use half of a large onion or a whole small onion.
- High-quality double concentrated tomato paste is excellent here, but regular, generic brand tomato paste is also good.
- I recommend serving this dish right after it is prepared, but if needed you can refrigerate the pasta and sauce separately and combine once reheated. I do not recommend freezing this dish.
CC says
Excellent!
Genevieve says
Thank you, CC! So glad you enjoyed this.
Andrew Miller says
My favorite on here so far!
Genevieve says
Thank you so much!
Taradise says
First of all, the flavor of this sauce is quite delicious. I added some salt to taste. This recipe will work with light cream or half and half as well. Instead of pasta, I sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, sweet bell pepper, and yellow onion which made a delightful, easy to make vegetarian dish. Freshly cracked pepper and grated Parmesan was the perfect finish.
Genevieve says
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this! The dish you made sounds excellent.
Claire says
This really was delicious! The pancetta added so much extra flavor and I loved the creaminess. All the kids had big bowls, included my eldest who usually picks at her food!
Will be making this again! And I agree the name is so cute!
Genevieve says
Thank you, Claire! I’m glad your family enjoyed the recipe.
Ally says
Really loved this very flavorful recipe! Highly recommended! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious!
Genevieve says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Shelby says
Absolutely delicious! Added some mushrooms and sliced peppers and it was a hearty, drool-worthy meal... plus it was simple to whip up!
Genevieve says
Those sound like great additions. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Kate says
So easy and so good! Thanks for the recipe.
Genevieve says
Thanks, Kate!
Shruthi says
Delicious! Swapped pancetta for mushrooms and it was still absolutely delicious. Vegetarian and meat-eaters in the family both enjoyed it!
Genevieve says
That’s a great idea! I’m glad your family enjoyed it.
Allyssa says
This is really easy to follow, loved this penne al baffo recipe! It's really tasty and very flavorful! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Genevieve says
Thanks Allyssa! I appreciate it.
Michele says
This was my first time making Penne al Baffo but it certainly will not be my last because the whole family loved it. Thanks for a great recipe.
Genevieve says
It’s definitely a favorite in our house. Thanks Michele!
k says
One, this recipe is so easy and delicious - two, the name is unbearably cute. I love that translation!
Genevieve says
I thought so too. Thanks k! So glad you enjoyed it!
Shelby says
"So good you'll lick your whiskers" is going to be my new phrase, so cute! Absolutely love this throw-together pasta, it's simple but not without flavor!
Genevieve says
Isn’t it adorable? Thanks Shelby!
Glenda says
This made a simple and delicious supper. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Genevieve says
Thank you so much!
Journa Liz Ramirez says
I love how simple this recipe is. It was so tasty and loved by the fam. Highly recommended!
Genevieve says
Thank you!
Anjali says
This recipe was so simple but was packed with flavor! It felt indulgent and satisfying and my family loved it!
Genevieve says
Thank you, Anjali! I'm so happy your family loved it.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
Such a delicious and comforting pasta dish. We are definitely making this again.
Genevieve says
Thanks Amanda! Glad you enjoyed it!
Ana F. says
This Penne al Baffo was a hit with the family! It was easy to make plus delicious too. I made the vegetarian version and can't wait to make it again!.
Genevieve says
Yay! Thanks Ana. So happy you enjoyed it.
Dannii says
We are always looking for new pasta recipes to try and this was delicious. So much flavour!
Genevieve says
Thanks Dannii!
Aimee Mars says
This is probably my favorite penne recipe too! If I had whiskers I'd probably like them too.
Genevieve says
Haha, thank you so much Aimee!
Emily says
This was perfect! The shallots and pancetta brought such a great flavor to this dish!
Genevieve says
Thank you, Emily!
Glenda says
What a simple and super flavorful pasta! I hadn't cooked with pancetta before and I was surprised at how much flavor such a small amount can add. I really appreciate you sharing this delicious recipe!
Genevieve says
Thank you so much, Glenda!
MacKenzie says
This Penne cream sauce is delicious. I love the addition of cream to add to the tangy tomato. The sauce is slightly rich and perfectly delicious
Genevieve says
Thank you, MacKenzie!
Allyssa says
Great recipe! This is really easy to follow, loved this recipe! It's really tasty and very flavorful! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Genevieve says
Thank you!
Genevieve says
Thank you, Allyssa!
Shelby says
I love this penne dish because it comes together easily but always impresses guests when I make it!
Genevieve says
I’m so happy to hear it, Shelby!
Lisa says
The pasta sauce tastes great! We already plan to make it again.
Genevieve says
Oh good! Thank you, Lisa.