The Ultimate Creamy Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon: A Comfort Food Classic
There’s something magical about the combination of tender pasta, crispy bacon, and vibrant green peas all brought together in a luscious cream sauce. This penne pasta with peas and bacon recipe represents the perfect marriage of simplicity and sophistication, delivering restaurant-quality flavors right from your home kitchen. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner solution or planning a special meal for loved ones, this dish never fails to impress.
The beauty of this creamy penne pasta lies in its versatility and accessibility. With just a handful of pantry staples and fresh ingredients, you can create a meal that feels both comforting and elegant. The smoky saltiness of bacon pairs beautifully with the sweet pop of fresh peas, while the cream sauce ties everything together in perfect harmony. It’s the kind of dish that makes everyone at the table smile with that first delicious bite.
What Makes This Recipe Special
This isn’t just another pasta recipe – it’s a carefully crafted combination that balances flavors, textures, and colors to create something truly memorable. The key to its success lies in the timing and technique. The bacon is cooked until perfectly crispy, providing a textural contrast to the tender pasta and peas. The cream sauce is enriched with garlic and finished with fresh Parmesan cheese, creating layers of flavor that develop with each ingredient addition.
The fresh or frozen peas add a burst of color and sweetness that cuts through the richness of the cream and bacon. This contrast is essential to preventing the dish from feeling too heavy. The penne pasta shape is particularly well-suited for this recipe because its tube shape captures the creamy sauce beautifully, ensuring every bite is perfectly coated.
Perfect for Any Occasion
One of the greatest strengths of this penne pasta with peas and bacon is its adaptability to different occasions. For a casual family dinner, it’s comforting and satisfying without being overly complicated. For entertaining guests, it feels elegant and thoughtful while remaining approachable. The dish can be prepared relatively quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something more special than basic spaghetti but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
The recipe also scales beautifully, making it perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week ahead. Leftovers reheat wonderfully, though you may need to add a splash of cream or pasta water to restore the sauce’s silky consistency.
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 8 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 cup frozen or fresh peas
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook chopped bacon until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon with slotted spoon and set aside, leaving 2 tablespoons of fat in pan.
- Add minced garlic to the bacon fat and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Let cook for 2-3 minutes to slightly reduce and thicken.
- Add the cooked peas to the cream sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the cream sauce and toss to combine. If sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until desired consistency is reached.
- Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the crispy bacon back to the pasta and toss gently to distribute evenly.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese on the side.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
The secret to exceptional penne pasta with peas and bacon lies in the details. First, don’t skip salting your pasta water generously – it should taste like seawater. This is your only opportunity to season the pasta itself. Second, timing is crucial. Have all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking, as the sauce comes together quickly once the pasta is done.
When cooking the bacon, aim for that perfect balance between crispy and not overly hard. You want it to maintain some chewiness while still providing that satisfying crunch. Don’t discard all the bacon fat – those rendered drippings add incredible flavor to the garlic and form the base of your sauce.
Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook chopped bacon until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon with slotted spoon and set aside, leaving 2 tablespoons of fat in pan.
- Add minced garlic to the bacon fat and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Let cook for 2-3 minutes to slightly reduce and thicken.
- Add the cooked peas to the cream sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the cream sauce and toss to combine. If sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until desired consistency is reached.
- Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the crispy bacon back to the pasta and toss gently to distribute evenly.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese on the side.
Notes
Variations and Substitutions
While this classic combination is perfect as written, there are several ways to customize the dish to your preferences or dietary needs. For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce won’t be quite as rich. Greek yogurt can also work as a healthier alternative, but add it off the heat to prevent curdling.
Vegetarians can omit the bacon and add sautéed mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for umami depth. Pancetta or prosciutto make excellent bacon substitutions for a more Italian flavor profile. Fresh asparagus, cherry tomatoes, or spinach can be added alongside or instead of peas for different vegetable options.
Storage and Reheating
This pasta is best served immediately while the sauce is silky and the bacon is at its crispiest. However, leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheating, add a splash of cream, milk, or even pasta water to help restore the sauce’s consistency. Gentle reheating in a skillet over low heat works better than microwaving, which can cause the sauce to separate.
Nutritional Benefits
Despite being an indulgent comfort food, this dish does offer some nutritional value. Peas provide fiber, protein, vitamins A and C, and folate. The bacon contributes protein and B vitamins, while the pasta provides energy-giving carbohydrates. Using whole wheat penne can boost the fiber content significantly.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
This rich, creamy pasta pairs beautifully with crisp white wines like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, which cut through the richness of the cream sauce. For red wine lovers, a light-bodied Chianti or Barbera d’Alba complements the bacon without overwhelming the delicate peas.
This penne pasta with peas and bacon recipe represents everything we love about comfort food – it’s satisfying, flavorful, and brings people together around the table. The combination of textures and flavors creates a dish that’s both familiar and special, perfect for creating new memories while satisfying those comforting food cravings we all experience.
