Pasta with asparagus pesto and speck

Name: Pasta with asparagus pesto and speck
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Pasta 2.3 cups; Speck in a single slice 7 oz; Extra virgin olive oil to taste; Asparagus (to clean) 0.55 lb; Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese to be grated 1 oz; Pecorino cheese to grate 1 oz; Peeled almonds ¼ cup; Extra virgin olive oil 7 ½ tbsp; Lemon juice to taste; Nutmeg to taste; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste

it de fr es br

Lactose Free

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Average

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Rossella Cosentino

Pasta with asparagus pesto is just so, so tasty! It is a spring dish that packs a punch of flavor, especially up in Northern Italy. And look, fresh asparagus and speck are seriously celebrated there. This combo of creamy, tender asparagus blended into bright green pesto, topped with crispy speck, seems fancy but, you know, it’s pretty simple to make. In regions like Trentino and Alto Adige, speck—this smoky, salty ham—is a big favorite. It's sliced thin to give that perfect crunch to each bite. And the sauce? It's just right. This kind of asparagus pesto pasta is perfect for casual get-togethers or just chill lunches as the weather warms up. Local markets are overflowing with fresh produce—really, it's great! The soft, almost moist texture of the pesto mixes beautifully with the sharp, slightly tangy flavor of the speck—making it a really, really tasty dish to share with friends or family.

Across Northern Italy, folks sometimes swap in wild or even white asparagus. But it offers a milder taste but still keeps that classic spring vibe. Thing is, the way this speck pasta recipe comes together lets you experiment with what's fresh and in season—so it’s always a bit exciting! In some towns, you might find a sprinkle of grated cheese on top for extra richness, but here's the deal: keep that pesto super smooth and creamy. The speck provides that golden, crunchy contrast. Compared to a risotto or frittata with asparagus and speck, this asparagus pesto pasta is lighter. Fits just about any occasion, whether catching up with friends or prepping a quick dinner. People who love pasta with speck often say it’s one of the best ways to highlight Northern Italian ingredients, in a simple, honest way. I gotta say, it's easy to prepare, packed with flavor, and each bite gives you a taste of Italian spring. So, gather your loved ones and enjoy this dish that really captures the essence of the season.

INGREDIENTS

Pasta 2.3 cups (320 g)

Speck 7 oz (200 g) - in a single slice

Extra virgin olive oil to taste

For the Asparagus Pesto: Asparagus 0.55 lb (250 g) - (to clean); Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese 1 oz (30 g) - to be grated; Pecorino cheese 1 oz (30 g) - to grate; Peeled almonds ¼ cup (30 g); Extra virgin olive oil 7 ½ tbsp (110 g); Lemon juice to taste; Nutmeg to taste; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste

Preparation

How to prepare Pasta with asparagus pesto and speck

To make the pasta with asparagus pesto and speck, start by preparing the asparagus pesto: remove the woodier ends 1 and peel the remaining part of the stalk 2. You will need about 7.75 oz (220 g) of cleaned asparagus in total. Blanch the asparagus in salted water for about 10 minutes 3.

Drain the asparagus, pat them dry with a cloth, and cut them into pieces 4. Pour the almonds into a mixer 5 and coarsely chop them, then add the grated Parmigiano Reggiano PDO and Pecorino 6 and blend for another moment.

Add the asparagus 7 along with a few drops of lemon juice 8 and the oil 9.

Season with salt, pepper 10, and nutmeg 11 and pulse until you get a rustic and creamy pesto 12.

Now cut the speck into strips 13 and brown it in a pan with a drizzle of hot oil 14 until crispy 15. In the meantime, bring a pot of water to boil to cook the pasta.

When the water has reached a boil, salt it and add the pasta 16. Drain the pasta al dente, keeping some of its cooking water aside, and transfer it to the pan with the speck 17, then add the asparagus pesto 18.

Add a couple of tablespoons of the cooking water 19 and mix well to combine the pasta with the sauce 20. Your pasta with asparagus pesto and speck is ready to be served 21!