5 from 62 votes
Pasta with Tropea onions and Lardo alla Toranese
This Pasta with Tropea onions and Lardo alla Toranese features sweet Tropea onions and rich, fatty lardo cooked together to create a flavorful sauce. Tossed with al dente pasta and pecorino cheese, it highlights the balance of smoky, savory pork fat with sweet onions and sharp cheese. The addition of black pepper and optional red pepper flakes adds gentle heat to complement the dish’s richness.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
666 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mediterranean, Italian
Ingredients
- 320-400 g elicoidali pasta (12-14oz) or rigatoni, penne, etc
- 150 g lardo 5-6oz) or guanciale, fatty bacon, Italian
- 2 Tropea onions or other sweet red onions
- 50 g pecorino cheese (2oz)
- salt for pasta and to taste
- black pepper to taste, freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- crushed red pepper flakes optional and to taste, peperoncino flakes
Instructions
Prepare ingredients
- Peel the onions and cut into fine slices. Cut the lardo into small pieces.
- Put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta. Add salt once it starts to boil and bring to the boil again.
Cup of Yum
Make your pasta alla Toranese
- Fry the chopped lard and the onions together in a little olive oil (You don’t need much as the lardo will render fat too) until the onions are translucent and the lardo has started to melt.
- Cook the pasta al dente according to instructions on the packet. When ready, save a cup of the cooking water and drain. Add the pasta to the sauce with a little of the cooking water.
- Mix well then add some grated pecorino cheese. Mix again and serve immediately with a sprinkling of ground black pepper, more pecorino and some peperoncino for a little spice if desired.
Notes
- You can use elicoidali, rigatoni, penne, or other similar shaped pasta such as short ziti or casarecce.
Nutrition Information
Calories
666kcal
(33%)
Carbohydrates
65g
(22%)
Protein
19g
(38%)
Fat
36g
(55%)
Saturated Fat
14g
(70%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Cholesterol
53mg
(18%)
Sodium
478mg
(20%)
Potassium
269mg
(6%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
53IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
162mg
(16%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 666
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 666kcal | 33% |
| Carbohydrates | 65g | 22% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 36g | 55% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 53mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 478mg | 20% |
| Potassium | 269mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 53IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 162mg | 16% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.