Creamy Bacon Pasta Recipe
User Reviews
4.3
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
798 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Creamy Bacon Pasta Recipe
Description
This recipe starts by boiling salted water to cook dried pasta just under package doneness, ensuring it finishes cooking later in the sauce. Cooking pasta al dente while reserving starchy cooking water enables adjustment of the sauce’s consistency. Meanwhile, bacon strips are pan-fried until crisp and removed, leaving flavorful fat to cook finely chopped onions and minced garlic until softened.
Heavy cream and some reserved pasta water are simmered with grated Parmesan cheese, forming a thickened, cheesy sauce. Cooked pasta is added and gently tossed, absorbing the rich sauce, while additional pasta water is incorporated as needed to maintain a creamy texture without dryness. Crispy bacon is folded in last for both texture contrast and smoky flavor hints.
This pasta can be served garnished with fresh parsley for a bit of color and mild herb freshness. It pairs well as a standalone meal or with simple sides, offering comfort and richness through familiar ingredients.
Notes suggest adjusting cream thickness by using proper heavy cream rather than lighter creams, and that freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly. Pasta shape is flexible, but longer noodles suit this sauce. Bacon type and onion variety are interchangeable according to preference. Gradual addition of cooking water lets you control sauce consistency exactly.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 12 oz dried pasta (see note 1)
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 10 Bacon chopped (see note 2, strips
- 1 onion finely chopped (see note 3, small
- 2 cloves garlic minced (see note 4)
- 1½ cups heavy cream (see note 5)
- 1½ cups pasta cooking water (see note 6)
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese see note 7, grated
- salt
- black pepper
To serve
- parsley optional, fresh
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the salt and cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the packet suggests.1 tbsp salt12 oz / 340 g dried pasta
- Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 2 cups of the pasta cooking water, and then drain the pasta.
While the Pasta is Cooking
- Add the olive oil to a frying pan, then cook the chopped bacon over medium-high for 4-5 minutes until crispy.½ tbsp olive oil10 strips bacon
- Once the bacon is crisp, remove it from the pan using a slotted spoon, leaving the oil and bacon grease behind.
- Reduce the heat under the pan and add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for 3 - 4 minutes until the onion is soft. (add extra olive oil if your bacon was very lean)1 small onion2 cloves garlic
- Add the cream, and ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Sprinkle over the grated parmesan and stir.1½ cups / 370 ml heavy cream1 cup / 100 g grated parmesan
- Add the cooked pasta and toss it gently into the sauce. Cook for 2 minutes or until the pasta is cooked to your liking. If the sauce gets too thick, add more pasta cooking water.
- Stir through the crispy bacon - season the pasta to taste. salt and pepper
- Serve garnished with fresh parsley. fresh parsley
Notes
- Use heavy cream (not half-and-half or single cream) to achieve the proper sauce thickness.
- Reserve pasta cooking water to gradually adjust sauce consistency as pasta finishes cooking in the sauce.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese blends better and requires more quantity than pre-grated store-bought version.
- Any long pasta shape works well; spaghetti is preferred but alternatives are acceptable.
- Choose bacon type based on preference; ham or turkey bacon can be substituted.
- Onion types such as brown, white, yellow, shallots, or small leeks can be used depending on availability.
- Adjust the amount of garlic according to taste for desired pungency.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 798 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 798kcal | 40% |
| Carbohydrates | 73g | 24% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 66g | 102% |
| Saturated Fat | 32g | 160% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 22g | 110% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 159mg | 53% |
| Sodium | 876mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 476mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1549IU | 31% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 311mg | 31% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.3
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