Farfalle with Creamy Bacon Sauce
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
686 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Lunch, Dinner
Farfalle with Creamy Bacon Sauce
Description
This recipe features farfalle pasta cooked along with frozen peas for a convenient one-pot step. The sauce is prepared by cooking chopped bacon until nearly crisp, then sautéing garlic paste briefly with the bacon to build aromatic flavor. Ricotta and cubed cream cheese are stirred into the skillet along with kosher salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes, melting into a thick, cohesive sauce.
The sauce’s thickness means it adheres well to the pasta’s curves and grooves rather than being loose or runny, providing a satisfying coating with concentrated flavors of smoky bacon, creamy cheeses, and garlic. Freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley garnish the finished dish, adding nuttiness and brightness.
This dish comes together quickly, making it suitable for a filling weeknight meal. The sauce’s thickness sets it apart from traditional Alfredo-style sauces, providing a substantial mouthfeel. Any short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or cavatappi can substitute for farfalle. Garlic paste can be replaced with fresh minced garlic.
For ease, pre-cooked bacon bits can be crisped before mixing into the sauce to speed preparation. Leftovers keep well and the pasta with sauce can be reheated with a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen as needed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound farfalle pasta
- ½ pound Bacon chopped, about 7 or 8 strips
- 2 tablespoons garlic paste
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese cubed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 2 cups peas frozen
- Parmesan Cheese for serving, shredded
- parsley for garnish, chopped, fresh
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions adding peas for the last 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain well.
- Meanwhile, add the chopped bacon to a large skillet and cook over medium heat until almost completely cooked.
- Add the garlic paste to the bacon and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add the ricotta, cream cheese, and seasonings to the bacon and stir until smooth and thick.
- Add the bacon cheese sauce to the pasta and stir to coat.
- Serve with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Notes
- The sauce is thicker than typical Alfredo sauce and clings to pasta rather than flowing freely.
- Adding reserved pasta water can loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency.
- Short pasta shapes like rotini, penne, or cavatappi also work well with this sauce.
- Garlic paste can be substituted with about 3 cloves of minced fresh garlic.
- Using room temperature cream cheese and ricotta helps the cheese blend smoothly into the sauce.
- You can use pre-cooked bacon bits crisped in a pan to save time when preparing the sauce.
- Prepare all ingredients before starting, as the recipe comes together quickly, finishing in just over 20 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 686 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 686 | 34% |
| Carbohydrates | 69g | 23% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 35g | 54% |
| Saturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Cholesterol | 87mg | 29% |
| Sodium | 803mg | 33% |
| Potassium | 477mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1099IU | 22% |
| Vitamin C | 21mg | 23% |
| Calcium | 161mg | 16% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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