Creamy Bacon Pasta
Ingredients:
12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
6 strips of bacon, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/4 cups (300 ml) heavy cream
1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Directions:
Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
Cook the Bacon:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Sauté the Onions and Garlic:
In the same skillet with the bacon drippings, add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Make the Creamy Sauce:
Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly.
Combine the Pasta and Bacon:
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Add the Bacon:
Stir the crispy bacon back into the pasta and sauce mixture. Taste and season with salt if needed.
Serve:
Divide the creamy bacon pasta into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 620 kcal (per serving) | Servings: 4 servings