Pasta with Bacon and Peas

If you haven’t prepared dinner yet and you’re craving something truly comforting without tons of effort or a long list of ingredients, this pasta with bacon and peas is the answer! You can easily toss in other veggies to add volume or as a way to prevent the dreaded food wastage!

Reserving some of the starchy pasta water is a clever little trick I’ve learned over the years making delicious pasta recipes, allowing you to adjust the consistency of the sauce without watering down any flavor. And talking of sauce, the simple combination of milk and cream cheese in this dish creates a luxuriously creamy texture that coats every bite – it’s rich enough to feel like a treat without being overly decadent for a midweek family dinner.

Ingredient notes

• Pasta shells – I used pasta shells, but any favorite pasta shape will work. Rigatoni, penne, rotini, etc. are great options. Make sure to only cook until al dente. 
• Bacon – I used thick cut bacon for this recipe. It provides enough of a substantial meaty quality to this pasta dish. 
• Unsalted butter – I prefer unsalted butter for better salt control. Olive oil can be used instead, but it won’t provide as rich a flavor. 
• Garlic – Minced garlic cloves always provide the best pungent, aromatic depth. Be careful not to burn the garlic. You could use roasted garlic for a richer and sweeter flavor, or garlic powder in a pinch.
• Milk – Great as the liquid base for making the creamy sauce. 
• Cream cheese – Softened at room temperature for easy mixing. 
• Frozen peas – Added towards the end of the cooking time to prevent overcooked and mushy peas. 
• Basil – Adds a lovely pop of color and herbaceous note to this rich and comforting pasta dish.
• Parmesan – Adds a salty, umami punch. Finely grated Parmesan mixes smoothly when tossed with the saucy pasta. You could also use Pecorino Romano (a saltier option), Grana Padano (milder), or vegan Parmesan. 
• Kosher salt and pepper – To taste.

How to make it

Step 1

Cook the pasta and fry the bacon

• Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. 
• Drain, reserving the pasta cooking liquid.
• Fry the chopped bacon until crisp. 
• Set aside on paper towels and drain fat from the pan.

Step 2

Make the sauce

• Add butter to the pan. Once melted, saute garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add in milk and cream cheese. Bring to a boil and then lower heat to simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add peas and return the cooked bacon to the pan.
• Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper.

Step 3

Toss with remaining ingredients

• Toss cooked pasta with sauce, basil, and parmesan.
• Add in reserved pasta water, as needed, to obtain your desired consistency.
• Enjoy!

Easy ways to transform a simple pasta dish

Transform any simple pasta recipe into a restaurant-worthy dish with these fast, flavor-packed techniques that build layers of savory umami in every bite:

• Roasted Garlic – Roasted garlic can easily transform any pasta dish by adding a deep, caramelized sweetness and mellow, nutty richness that raw garlic can’t achieve.
• Browned Butter – Browned butter adds a toasty, nutty complexity, turning a simple pasta dish into something deeply aromatic and luxurious.
• Broth-Infused Pasta – Cooking pasta directly in the simmering sauce, like I’ve done in my French Onion Pasta, adds incredible flavor to the pasta that you just don’t get from boiling pasta separately. 

Tips and tricks

• Drain excess fat rendered from the chopped bacon to avoid an overly oily pasta dish. You’ll still get that irresistible savory bacon flavor infusing throughout the sauce. 
• Make sure to reserve some pasta water as it’s great for adding to the sauce towards the end to adjust the consistency without diluting flavor. 
• Taste and adjust seasoning just before serving, as the saltiness of the broth and cheese varies.
• Use freshly grated cheese for the creamiest melt. Pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
• Let the dish rest for a few minutes after completion to allow the sauce to thicken and cling to the pasta. 
• Use a large enough skillet to comfortably hold all of the ingredients. 

Variations

Elevate your pea and bacon pasta with these easy variations. Find what works best for you – from meaty upgrades to vegetarian twists and bold new flavors.

• Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free pasta (made from brown rice or chickpeas). 
• Pea bacon gnocchi – Use gnocchi instead of pasta. Pan-fry them until golden before tossing with the sauce. Follow my Quick and Easy Gnocchi Recipe to learn how to make gnocchi from scratch. 
• Vegetarian – Omit the bacon and add in other options that will still offer delicious layers of flavor, such as mushrooms and caramelized onions. 
• Meaty twists – Pancetta, diced ham, or sausage can be used instead of bacon. Shrimp, cooked shredded chicken, or ground beef are other delicious alternatives.  
• Creamy sauce – Add heavy cream instead of the milk for a thicker and creamier sauce.  
• Crunchy finish – Toast panko breadcrumbs in a little olive oil for a lovely bit of crunch just before serving.

Serving suggestions

Enjoy your pasta with bacon and peas as is or alongside some of these pairings – from crispy garlic bread (great for soaking up every drop of sauce) to light and refreshing side salads that will add balance to this hearty meal.

• Arugula Salad
• Garlic Bread or Pesto Garlic Bread
• Radicchio Salad
• Kale Caesar Salad
• Cherry Tomato Salad
• Fennel and Chickpea Salad
• Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
• More → the 40+ EASY sides for pasta.
• Plus → 40+ Italian side dishes.

Storing

Store leftover pea bacon pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. 

While possible, freezing is not recommended for this dish as the pasta and peas may become mushy upon thawing, and the sauce could separate. If freezing, store in portioned containers for up to 1 month, but expect a change to the texture.

Gently reheat your leftovers on the stovetop with a splash of broth, milk, or water to restore its texture, stirring frequently over medium-low heat until warmed through.