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    Home > Meal Type > Pasta Recipes

    Creamy Bacon Pasta

    Updated: May 4th 2022 • Published: May 4th 2022 • 8 Comments

    Jump to Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    PINTEREST IMAGE : Creamy bacon pasta with text overlay
    PINTEREST IMAGE : Creamy bacon pasta with text overlay
    PINTEREST IMAGE : Creamy bacon pasta with text overlay
    PINTEREST IMAGE : Creamy bacon pasta with text overlay

    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 with bacon. 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. 

    Made with easy-to-find ingredients and on the table in under 20 minutes, this creamy pasta with bacon is an easy family meal. Serve it with a side salad if you want to feel virtuous or some garlic bread if you really want to indulge!

    a fork swirling up creamy pasta

    Jump Menu

    • Creamy Pasta with Bacon
    • Adding vegetables to creamy pasta
    • Which bacon to use for Creamy Pasta with Bacon
    • Recipe Tips
    • What to serve with creamy bacon pasta
    • Creamy Bacon Pasta Recipe

    Creamy Pasta with Bacon

    Doesn't that heading just bring you joy and fill you with the idea of a bowl of comfort!

    Creamy pasta is the ultimate hug in a bowl, and then when you add the smoky salt hit of crispy bacon, well, it is hard to beat! 

    This is an indulgent dish with cheese, heavy cream, and bacon. But it is so good! Silky pasta in a delicious bacony creamy sauce. And kids love it! Which is always a winner on a busy weeknight.

    You can adapt it and add in some veg; I find most of my kids will eat veg when they are covered in a creamy bacon sauce!

    Adding vegetables to creamy pasta

    The creamy sauce is easy to add to; some of our favorites include:

    • Peas
    • Sweet corn
    • Mushrooms
    • Spinach
    • Broccoli florets
    • Cauliflower florets
    • Asparagus

    Except for the spinach, they can all be cooked with the bacon and then added to the cream sauce. The spinach can just be added to the hot pasta at the end, and it will wilt almost instantly in the heat.

    a bowl of creamy pasta with bacon on a wooden table with a white napkin

    Which bacon to use for Creamy Pasta with Bacon

    Unlike my garlic bacon pasta recipe (which is a fan favorite!!!), you don't need bacon with a lot of fat. So you can use the trimmed bacon eyes or even turkey bacon for this recipe. 

    I would suggest going for something smoked as that adds lots of flavor, but other than that, use your favorite bacon.

    Recipe Tips

    Pasta: you can use any pasta you like for this recipe, I like spaghetti, but any long noodle will work.

    Bacon: as noted above, you can pick your favorite bacon or substitute ham if you have leftover ham.

    Cream: Heavy cream or thickened cream is what you need for the recipe; half and half or single cream just doesn't thicken.

    Onions: Use any you have to hand; brown, white or yellow onions will work or use a shallot or small leek.

    Parmesan: Freshly grated at home is best; it melts into the sauce more evenly. However, if you use store-bought grated parmesan, you will need half the amount the recipe suggests as it is more compact.

    Pasta cooking water: Before you drain the pasta, scoop out a large measuring cup (at least 11/2 cups) of the cooking water, it helps to complete the sauce and is a vital step.

    a earthen bowl with spaghetti and bacon in it

    What to serve with creamy bacon pasta

    Sides: I suggest a side salad and some good bread for nearly every pasta recipe on my site. They just work so well with pasta! But any green vegetable would make a delicious side dish. Try garlic green beans, roasted broccoli, or sauteed kale.

    Wine: For white wine lovers, a crisp Pinot Grigio or Soave is perfect for cutting the sauce's richness. If you like a smoother, richer wine, try a Gavi di Gavi; it will still balance the creamy pasta sauce but isn't as crispy as the other two.
    For those who love red wine, try Gamay, Montepulciano, or Pinot Noir; they can all cut through the richness of the cream sauce without overpowering the bacon flavors. 

    Enjoy x

    For more creamy pasta recipes why not try:

    • square picture of a cast iron skillet of pasta
      Creamy Tomato Chicken and Chorizo Pasta
    • close up of a fork lifting up a mushroom ravioli
      Mushroom Ravioli Al Forno
    • overhead view of a earthenware blue bowl with rigatoni, steak and mushrooms in it
      Creamy Pepper Pasta with Steak Strips
    • a shallow grey bowl of spaghetti with seared scallops on top
      Pan Seared Scallop Pasta with Creamy Bacon Sauce
    • super close up of shrimp and gnocchi in a creamy sauce
      Creamy Lemon Shrimp Gnocchi
    • close up on the spiral shape of the cheesy pasta
      Easy Creamy Four Cheese Pasta

    If you make this Creamy Pasta with Bacon, don't forget to come back and comment. You can also tag me on social media.

    Any questions about the recipe? Use the comments section below.

    close up on creamy bacon sauce on a bed of spaghetti
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    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 Time10 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Main
    Cuisine: Italian
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 798kcal
    Author: Claire | Sprinkle and Sprouts
    For more great recipes follow me on PinterestFollow @sprinklessprout
    Need Metric Measurements?Use the options below to toggle between cups and grams (if relevant)
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    Ingredients

    US Customary - Grams
    • 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
    • 1½ cups heavy cream - see note 4
    • 1½ cups pasta cooking water
    • 1 cup grated parmesan - see note 5
    • salt and pepper

    To serve

    • fresh parsley - optional

    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 tablespoon salt
      12oz/360g dried pasta

    • Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 2 ½ 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 bacon over medium-high for 4-5 minutes until crispy.
      1 tablespoon olive oil
      10 strips chopped 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 garlic and onion. Cook for 3 - 4 minutes until the onion is soft. (add extra olive oil if your bacon was very lean)
      1 chopped onion
      2 minced garlic cloves

    • Add the cream, and 1 ½ cups of the pasta cooking water, bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Add the grated parmesan and stir.
      1½ cups heavy cream
      1½ cups pasta cooking water

    • Add the cooked pasta and toss it gently into the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes 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, to taste

    • Serve garnished with fresh parsley.
      fresh parsley (optional)

    Notes

    1. You can use any pasta shape you like for this recipe, I like spaghetti, but any long noodle will work.
    2. Pick your favorite bacon or substitute ham if you have leftover ham. You can use turkey bacon also.
    3. Use any onion you have to hand; brown, white, or yellow onions will work, or use a shallot or small leak.
    4. Heavy cream or thickened cream is what you need for the recipe; half and half or single cream just doesn't thicken.
    5. 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

    Calories: 798kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 66g | Saturated Fat: 32g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 159mg | Sodium: 876mg | Potassium: 476mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1549IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 311mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sprinklesandsprouts or tag #sprinklesandsprouts

    More Pasta Recipes

    • close up on a slice chili in a bowl of pasta
      Spicy Tomato Pasta
    • close up on a large bowl of Ratatouille Pasta
      Ratatouille Pasta
    • close up on corn, pasta, basil and pine nuts on a spoon
      Corn Pasta with Basil
    • close up on crispy chorizo bits in a pasta
      Broccoli Chorizo Pasta

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. DIVINE IS SO DIVINE says

      July 21, 2022 at 1:41 pm

      5 stars
      OMG GUSTO KO NITO OMGGGGGGGG ANG SARAP NITO GUSTO TALAGA ITONG RECIPE GUSTTOOOOOONG GUSTO KO

      Reply
    2. Jennifer says

      June 29, 2022 at 10:42 pm

      5 stars
      This is my kind of meal! I loved all the flavors in this and it was an easy fix that everyone loved!

      Reply
    3. Gen says

      June 29, 2022 at 10:40 pm

      5 stars
      This was just the treat my family needed after a long week. Thank you for this delicious recipe - everyone wanted seconds!

      Reply
    4. Shelby says

      June 29, 2022 at 6:44 am

      5 stars
      Comfort food at its finest! I love the creaminess of the pasta but I love even more that it comes together so quickly! Perfect for busy nights.

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        July 01, 2022 at 6:08 pm

        So happy you enjoyed it Shelby. Pasta is always my comfort food 🙂
        Cx

        Reply
    5. Kim says

      June 29, 2022 at 6:13 am

      5 stars
      I saw bacon and pasta and knew I had to try this. It was so delicious and even the kids wanted seconds! Next time I will have to double the recipe.

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        June 29, 2022 at 4:40 pm

        So happy the family enjoyed it Kim 🙂
        Cx

        Reply
    6. Jere Cassidy says

      June 28, 2022 at 11:34 pm

      5 stars
      Oh, I love this recipe with the cream sauce and bacon. It's good to have a recipe to use spaghetti that doesn't have a tomato sauce on top.

      Reply

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