4.4 from 69 votes
Bacon Leek Pasta
This Bacon Leek Pasta is an incredibly easy 30 minute meal where the star of the dish really is the bacon and the leeks. Quick to make, perfect for a weeknight dinner, this pasta dish can also be as divers as you want it to be!
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 682 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine:
Italian , American
Ingredients
- 12 ounce rigatoni uncooked, or pasta of your choice
- 6 lices Bacon sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 2 large leeks cleaned and sliced thin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¾ cup heavy cream 35%+
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve a cup of pasta water. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it's cooked to your preference. Remove the bacon from the skillet and transfer to a paper towel-line plate to soak up the fat. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat in the skillet and discard the rest.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the leaks to the skillet. Season with salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper and stir occasionally until they soften; about 3 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream and cook down for about 2 minutes or until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese, bacon, ½ cup of the pasta water, and remaining pepper to the skillet. Toss everything until the pasta is well coated. If the pasta starts getting too dry, keep in mind it will soak up that sauce as it start to cool a bit, add the remaining ½ cup of pasta water, or as much as needed.
- Garnish with some fresh parsley and serve while warm.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Cook the pasta al dente to keep it from getting mushy when tossed with the sauce.
- Save at least 1 cup of pasta water—it’s essential for loosening the sauce and keeping it silky.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Don’t skip cleaning the leeks thoroughly; they often hide dirt between their layers.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
682kcal
(34%)
Carbohydrates
72g
(24%)
Protein
22g
(44%)
Fat
34g
(52%)
Saturated Fat
17g
(85%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
11g
Trans Fat
0.04g
Cholesterol
81mg
(27%)
Sodium
590mg
(25%)
Potassium
392mg
(11%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
1509IU
(30%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
224mg
(22%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 682
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 682kcal | 34% |
| Carbohydrates | 72g | 24% |
| Protein | 22g | 44% |
| Fat | 34g | 52% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 0.04g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 81mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 590mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 392mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 1509IU | 30% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 224mg | 22% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.