Pasta with Bacon Cream Sauce is a delicious and easy-to-make recipe that combines the salty flavor of bacon with the creamy texture of a rich sauce. This recipe is ideal for stunning guests at a dinner party or for a quick evening meal.
How To Make:
To make this recipe, you will need pasta, bacon, garlic, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Begin by cooking the pasta according to the package directions until it is al dente. In a big skillet over medium heat, fry the bacon until it is crispy while the pasta is cooking. Remove the bacon from the pan and set it aside on a paper towel to drain.
Next, add the garlic to the skillet and cook it until it is fragrant about 1 minute. Add the heavy cream, then boil the mixture. Stir in the parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, and continue to cook until the sauce has thickened about 5 minutes.
Once the sauce has thickened, crumble the cooked bacon into the skillet and stir it into the sauce. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet, tossing it with the sauce until it is fully coated.
To serve, divide the pasta into bowls and garnish with additional parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, if desired. This recipe can be easily customized by adding vegetables, such as spinach or peas, or by substituting bacon for chicken or shrimp.
Overall, Pasta with Bacon Cream Sauce is a simple yet flavorful recipe that will satisfy your cravings for a rich and indulgent pasta dish.
Tips and variations:
Tips:
Use good quality bacon for the best flavor.
Before draining the cooked pasta, save some of the cooking water. This starchy water can be added to the sauce to help it thicken and cling better to the pasta.
For a lighter version of this recipe, you can substitute half-and-half or whole milk for the heavy cream.
Adjust the seasoning to your taste. You can add more or less salt and pepper, or even add some red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Experiment with different types of pasta shapes, such as penne, fusilli, or spaghetti.
Variations:
Add some chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
Replace the bacon with pancetta or prosciutto for a different taste.
Add some chopped mushrooms to the skillet when cooking the garlic for an earthy flavor.
Use different types of cheese instead of parmesan, such as pecorino romano or gouda.
By leaving out the bacon and substituting veggie broth for the chicken broth, you can make it vegetarian. You can also add some sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or roasted red peppers for extra flavor and texture.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta (such as fettuccine or linguine)
- 4 strips bacon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Pasta must be prepared according to package directions until it is al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
While the pasta is cooking, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Place the bacon on a paper towel to drain after removing it from the pan. Set the bacon aside after crumbling it into small bits.
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
Add the salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese, stirring well. Continue cooking the sauce until it thickens, stirring occasionally, about 5-7 minutes.
Once the sauce has thickened, add the crumbled bacon to the skillet and stir to combine.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and toss until the pasta is evenly coated. Add some of the pasta water that was set aside to the sauce if it is too thick.
If preferred, top the hot spaghetti with minced parsley.