Craving a restaurant-quality dish that comes together in under 30 minutes? This Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon is your answer. It’s the perfect weeknight meal, combining savory bacon, sweet peas, and a luxuriously creamy sauce without a drop of heavy cream. We achieve a silky, rich texture by using the magic of starchy pasta water and a little bit of butter, making it both indulgent and surprisingly simple. This is a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for a quick and satisfying solo dinner, this dish delivers on all fronts. It’s comforting, packed with flavor, and uses simple ingredients you likely already have on hand.
Why This Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon Recipe Works
What makes this recipe a standout? It’s all about the technique. By crisping the bacon first, we create a flavorful base. The real secret, however, is using the starchy water the pasta cooks in to emulsify the sauce. This starchy liquid, combined with Parmesan cheese and butter, creates a glossy coating for every piece of penne, ensuring a perfectly creamy result every time. It’s a simple trick that professional chefs use to elevate any pasta dish.
The Stars of the Show: Key Ingredients
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of quality ingredients to create a truly memorable meal.
Choosing Your Pasta
Penne is the classic choice here, as its hollow shape and ridges are perfect for catching the creamy sauce. However, feel free to substitute with other short pasta shapes like rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle.
The Best Bacon for Pasta
Thick-cut smoked bacon is our top recommendation. It provides the best flavor and a satisfyingly chewy, crispy texture. If you prefer, pancetta is an excellent, more traditional Italian alternative.
Fresh vs. Frozen Peas
Don’t hesitate to use frozen sweet peas! They are picked and frozen at peak ripeness, meaning they are often sweeter and more tender than fresh options available out of season. They cook in just a few minutes, making them a convenient and delicious choice.
How to Make Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon (Step-by-Step)
This recipe is designed to be quick and efficient. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve about 2 cups of the starchy pasta water.
- Crisp the Bacon: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the minced garlic to the bacon fat in the skillet and cook for about 30-60 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn.
- Build the Sauce: Pour 1 cup of the reserved pasta water into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer and let it bubble for 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked and drained pasta, frozen peas, and half of the crispy bacon to the skillet. Stir vigorously, adding the butter, grated Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. Continue to stir, adding more pasta water a splash at a time, until a creamy, glossy sauce forms and coats the pasta.
- Serve: Divide the pasta among bowls and top with the remaining crispy bacon and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
For another incredibly simple pasta dish, check out our Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta.
Tips for the Creamiest, Most Flavorful Pasta
Want to guarantee success? Keep these simple tips in mind.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the pasta just until al dente (with a slight bite). It will continue to cook a little more in the skillet with the sauce.
- Salt Your Pasta Water: This is the only chance you have to season the pasta itself. The water should taste like the sea.
- The Magic of Pasta Water: Do not skip reserving the pasta water. It’s the key to the sauce’s creaminess. The starch in the water helps bind the sauce to the pasta.
- Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. For the best sauce, always grate your own Parmesan from a block.
Delicious Variations to Try
This recipe is a fantastic base for customization. Here are a few ideas to make it your own:
- Add a Protein Boost: Stir in some shredded rotisserie chicken or grilled shrimp at the end.
- Sneak in More Veggies: Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes along with the garlic. Looking for another great veggie-forward dish? Try this Tuscan Butter Beans recipe.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a little kick of heat.
- Brighten it Up: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can cut through the richness and brighten up all the flavors.
What to Serve with Your Pasta
This Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad, like a classic Caesar Salad, or some crusty garlic bread are excellent choices to round out the meal.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water, milk, or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and restore its creaminess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This recipe is very versatile. Sautéed mushrooms, chopped asparagus, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes would all be excellent additions. Add them to the skillet at the same time as the garlic.
Yes, absolutely. For a vegetarian option, you can omit the bacon. Sauté the garlic in 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter instead of bacon fat. You could also add mushrooms for a savory, meaty texture.
Certainly. While penne is a great choice, this recipe works well with other short pasta shapes like rigatoni, fusilli, ziti, or farfalle (bow ties). Even long pasta like fettuccine or spaghetti would be delicious.
The creaminess comes from a technique called emulsification. The starch from the pasta cooking water is the key ingredient. When vigorously mixed with fat (from the bacon and butter) and Parmesan cheese, it creates a smooth, glossy, and creamy sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.
The best way to reheat this dish is in a skillet over low-medium heat. Add the pasta and a splash of water, milk, or broth to help loosen the sauce and restore its creamy texture. Stir gently until warmed through.
The Perfect Creamy Penne Recipe
Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon: A Creamy 30-Minute Meal
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, add the chopped bacon to a large, cold skillet. Cook over medium heat until golden and crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
- Add the minced garlic to the bacon fat in the skillet and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour 1 cup of the reserved pasta water into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add the drained pasta, frozen peas, and half of the crispy bacon to the skillet. Stir vigorously, adding the butter, grated Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. Add more pasta water as needed to create a creamy, glossy sauce that coats the pasta.
- Serve immediately, topped with the remaining crispy bacon and extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Grating your own Parmesan cheese from a block will result in a much smoother, creamier sauce.
Don't forget to salt your pasta water generously; it should taste like the sea!
Share Your Creation!
We are certain this Creamy Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon will become a new favorite in your dinner rotation. It’s fast, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a comment below and share your masterpiece on Pinterest! We love seeing your creations.
