Description
Rich and indulgent Creamy Bacon Pasta brings Italian comfort to your dinner table. Crispy bacon, silky sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta combine for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
Meat Ingredients:
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
Dairy and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente, then thoroughly drain and reserve.
- Render bacon pieces in a spacious skillet, cooking until golden and crisp, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate while preserving a thin layer of rendered fat.
- Sauté minced garlic in the residual bacon drippings, releasing its aromatic essence for approximately one minute.
- Introduce heavy cream and whole milk into the skillet, whisking to create a smooth, homogeneous liquid base.
- Allow the cream mixture to gently simmer, reducing slightly and developing a rich consistency.
- Incorporate grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously to help it melt seamlessly into the sauce.
- Season the creamy sauce with freshly cracked black pepper, a pinch of salt, and a subtle hint of red pepper flakes for a gentle warmth.
- Fold the cooked pasta into the velvety sauce, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated.
- Sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon fragments throughout the dish, providing a delightful crunch and smoky flavor.
- Finish by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the top for a burst of color and herbaceous freshness.
- Serve immediately while the pasta remains piping hot and the sauce maintains its creamy texture.
Notes
- Swap out traditional pasta for whole wheat or gluten-free options to accommodate different dietary needs and preferences.
- Use turkey bacon or plant-based bacon alternatives for a lighter, lower-fat version of this indulgent dish.
- Control the heat level by adjusting red pepper flakes, allowing everyone from spice lovers to mild-flavor enthusiasts to enjoy the recipe.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining to help create a silkier, more cohesive sauce if the mixture seems too thick during final mixing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 699
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg