Farfalle with Pancetta, Arugula and Lemon Cream Sauce
A pasta dish that embodies all the things we love about spring and summer. Fresh, colorful and tied together with a lip smacking lemon cream sauce that is to die for!

(This post is sponsored by Q Squared NYC.)
Oh spring, where art thou?
I’ve been patiently waiting, dreaming of my days in the sun, barbecuing, outdoor parties or pretty much anything that doesn’t involve having the heat on. But despite being almost April, we just recently got a lot of snow! ?
Excuse me while I go pout under the warm covers for a moment…
But it’s okay, because deep inside I know that soon the sun will be shining and I’ll be able to wear all the dresses (pants are so uncomfortable when you’re pregnant) and throw all the fun spring/summer parties.
In the meantime, I practice spring inspired dishes at home, like this delicious Farfalle with Pancetta, Arugula and Lemon Cream Sauce. Because it might be cloudy and snowy outside, but in my heart it is spring all year round! ?❤️☀️

Ready to go on a moment’s notice, this pasta dish is perfect for impromptu lunch or dinner occasions and can feed a crowd.
The peppery arugula and the salty pancetta perfectly complement the real star of the show: the luscious lemon cream sauce. Seriously, I could drink that stuff by the gallon! ?
But the truth, my friends, is that even though I was craving a fresh and light spring dish and ready to press pause on all the stews and chilis that were part of my winter diet, this dish was created because I couldn’t wait to use my new Q Squared NYC Limonata Collection.
I’ve been in love and deeply obsessed ever since I received this beautiful gift! Isn’t it stunning?


What I love the most about Q Squared NYC luxury tableware is that even though it is melamine, it looks and feels like porcelain and ceramic.
With a child on the horizon, I am glad that these beautiful plates and serve dishes are virtually unbreakable/shatter-resistant, dishwasher proof and perfect for everyday use.
Ideally, I would use those when entertaining by the pool or in the patio. But since we live in an apartment, it will be used for alfresco dinners in the balcony, picnics at our local park and it will probably make regular appearances at our table as well.
Q Squared NYC was founded by mother-daughter Nancy and Alaina in 2011, in an effort to inspire others to live elegantly every day. Each original pattern is hand-drawn and they were names “the pioneer for superior quality melamine” by Tableware International!
I really don’t say this lightly: I am completely in love with this set. If you’re in love too, Q Squared NYC is giving my readers a 20% discount site-wide plus free shipping on orders over $50. Just use the promo code Olivia20 and go to town! You won’t regret it!

Once you have your beautiful Limonata Collection tableware (or any of their other gorgeous collections), you simply must make a gourmet meal to celebrate.
And you really can’t beat this spring-y pasta dish! Serve it with some cold white wine and you’ll be the queen/king of warm weather entertaining.

Farfalle with Pancetta, Arugula and Lemon Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 ounces diced pancetta
- 1 cup ricotta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and white pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 4 ounces arugula
- 1 pound farfalle pasta
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, according to package instructions. Drain pasta and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, in a large skillet, over medium high heat, saute the pancetta until golden and crisp, about 5-6 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb the excess grease. Remove all but one tablespoon of the pancetta grease from the skillet and lower the heat to medium. Then, add the ricotta, heavy cream, lemon juice and zest, salt and pepper and whisk until smooth. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the parmesan cheese.
- Add the cooked farfalle and arugula to the sauce and toss to incorporate, adding pasta water if necessary. Top with the cooked pancetta and serve.
GIVEAWAY
This giveaway has ended and the winner is: Greg Elsass.
Just one more thing!
Q Squared is so awesome that they are giving away a 12-piece melamine dinner set to one lucky winner! To enter, leave a comment below telling me which of their collections would you choose.
The giveaway runs until midnight EST on 3/31/2017 and is open to US residents.
Good luck!



186 Comments on “Farfalle with Pancetta, Arugula and Lemon Cream Sauce”
Wow, I Love the Fontainebleau! So Beautiful! I would love to have a nice set of dinnerwear! I don’t have a nice set, but my kids are older now and I should start looking!
I love the Portsmouth! Also – I only use melamine plates – they are more durable, lighter for little hands and older hands. I have never liked or used stoneware or glass!
I ❤️ the Captiva set!!!
I love the Limonata. It reminds me of when I was a little girl in the kitchen with my Grandmother Bocco & watching her make her fabulous Italian spaghetti
The whole collection is besutiful! My favorite would be heritage though. I have been looking for a new recipe to try and this looks delicious
Ruffle in paprika!
I would like the Ruffle in Spruce. It would look terrific in my kitchen
I like the CAPTIVA 12PC MELAMINE DINNERWARE SET
I love the Lima! But they’re all really beautiful.
I would absulutely choose the CAPTIVA 12PC MELAMINE DINNERWARE SET, it’s beautiful :)
Love all the different choices. I’d most like the diamond square. I’ve been trying to go with a modern decor and these would be perfect.
the Limonata
I like the KNOLL GARDENS pattern.
I LOVE the Essex set. So beautiful and unique! I’d love to have friends over for dinner with this gorgeous set. :)
I love the Nautical set
I really like the Lima, the colors in the pattern would go with other serving items I have now.
I would pick Hampton Toile.
Love this pattern: http://www.qsquarednyc.com/collection_products/?pr_collection=112
Oh my goodness… this is so hard to choose. They have some really pretty dishes and I love them all. I guess it would honestly be between the set you have pictured above… the Limonata or the Heritage pattern. They really are distinctive and I love that they are Melamine. The dish looks so delicious and I will be giving that a try soon. Thanks for sharing.
Love the portsmouth collection.
Ruffle in earth hues – very versatile
Ruffled in paprika color is awesome and would look great in my kitchen.
The captiva set is STUNNING! Reminds me of my beach wedding and my home away from home. This meal sounds absolutely delicious as well.
I like the sailing theme on the Portsmouth collection.
I like the CAMBRIDGE ROSE IN COBALT. Thank you!
Love the Limonata collection! Perfect for outdoor entertaining.
I love the Lima collection. So pretty!!
Signature Whiteware is beautiful
I’d pick Ruffle in white — easy to wash, simple and clean pattern, and the square plates make it more updated.
I like the PEONY set
I like the Captiva set.
ruffle in pebble
I really like CLASSICA IN BLACK 12PC MELAMINE DINNERWARE SET
I would pick the Classica in Black 12pc Melamine Dinnerware Set.
I would choose the Essex Collection. I love the bold geometrics and hints of metallic!
http://www.qsquarednyc.com/melamine-dinnerware-sets-dishes-plates/heritage-12pc-dinnerware-set.html
I like the Ruffle in linen dishes!
I would choose the Captiva. Thanks for the chance!!
I love the Tiffany blue color of the Hampton Toile collection! It’s perfect for all seasons!
And thanks for the chance at such a cool giveaway!
Wow – so many beautiful dishes. I think I’d select the HERITAGE set. Thanks for the chance to win a set! :)
Definitely the Capitiva set!
I like the Heritage, there are so many beautiful patterns. I have tile floors always breaking dishes, I need these.
I like the Ruffle in Earth Tones.
I love the Cambridge rose! That looks great, thank you so much :)
The Captiva set.
TALAVERA IN ROJA 12PC MELAMINE DINNERWARE SET
Thank you…:)
RUFFLE SIGNATURE COLLECTION
I love the Classica in Black.
I like the TILED set the most.
I would choose the Medina