Description
This Creamy Bacon Pasta offers the ultimate comfort food experience, blending rich, indulgent flavors with the satisfying crunch of crispy bacon. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a delightful meal the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (such as penne, fettuccine, or your favorite type)
- 8 slices of bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet, crumble it, and set aside. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet with the reserved bacon grease, add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken or vegetable broth, stirring to combine. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it in the creamy sauce. Stir in the crumbled bacon and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: It melts better and has a stronger flavor compared to pre-grated cheese.
- Save Some Pasta Water: If the sauce becomes too thick, use reserved pasta water to thin it out.
- Adjust the Spice Level: Add more or less crushed red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
- Cook Bacon Until Crispy: This ensures a delightful crunch that contrasts nicely with the creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner Ideas
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Creamy Bacon Pasta, pasta recipe, bacon pasta, easy dinner, comfort food