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Creamy Bacon Pasta Recipe

This Creamy Bacon Pasta Recipe is indulgent, scrumptious, and easy to make! Some days dinner just has to be a big bowl of creamy pasta. Quick to cook and comforting to eat. With its deliciously rich and creamy sauce, this creamy bacon pasta is a must on days like that. Make with easy-to-find ingredients and on the table in under 20 minutes. Serve it with a side salad if you want to feel virtuous or some garlic bread if you really want to indulge!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 798 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 12 oz dried pasta (see note 1)
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • 10 strips bacon chopped (see note 2)
  • 1 small onion finely chopped (see note 3)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced (see note 4)
  • 1½ cups heavy cream (see note 5)
  • 1½ cups pasta cooking water (see note 6)
  • 1 cup grated parmesan (see note 7)
  • salt and pepper
To serve
  • fresh parsley - optional

Instructions

Cook the Pasta
    Cup of Yum
  1. 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
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 2 cups of the pasta cooking water, and then drain the pasta.
While the Pasta is Cooking
  1. 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
  2. Once the bacon is crisp, remove it from the pan using a slotted spoon, leaving the oil and bacon grease behind.
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. Stir through the crispy bacon - season the pasta to taste. salt and pepper
  7. Serve garnished with fresh parsley. fresh parsley

Notes

  • ½ a cup when I add the pasta. The pasta continues to cook in the cream and will absorb more liquid, again thickening the sauce. If the pasta gets too dry add more water. Typically I need to add around 1½ cups while I am cooking the pasta in the sauce. But add it gradually until the sauce is to your desired consistency and the pasta is cooked to your liking.
  • You can use any pasta shape you like for this recipe, I like spaghetti, but any long noodle will work.
  • Pick your favorite bacon or substitute ham if you have leftover ham. You can use turkey bacon also.
  • Use any onion you have to hand; brown, white, or yellow onions will work, or use a shallot or small leak.
  • Feel free to add more or less garlic, garlic should always be measured with your heart! 
  • Heavy cream or thickened cream is what you need for the recipe; half and half or single cream just doesn't thicken.
  • The pasta cooking water if full of starch which helps to thicken the sauce. I start by adding ½ a cup when I add the pasta. The pasta continues to cook in the cream and will absorb more liquid, again thickening the sauce. If the pasta gets too dry add more water. Typically I need to add around 1½ cups while I am cooking the pasta in the sauce. But add it gradually until the sauce is to your desired consistency and the pasta is cooked to your liking.
  • Freshly grated parmesan is best; it melts into the sauce more evenly. However, if you use store-bought grated parmesan, you will only need ½ cup as it is more compact.

Nutrition Information

Calories 798kcal (40%) Carbohydrates 73g (24%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 66g (102%) Saturated Fat 32g (160%) Polyunsaturated Fat 6g Monounsaturated Fat 22g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 159mg (53%) Sodium 876mg (37%) Potassium 476mg (14%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 1549IU (31%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 311mg (31%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 798

% 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.