Creamy Bacon Pasta

Creamy Bacon Pasta is a delicious, one-pot meal that’s done in just over 30 minutes. The crispy bacon, tender noodles and creamy sauce make the tastiest, BLT inspired pasta dinner.

If you love hot pasta in a glossy sauce, try my Spicy Chicken Pasta Recipe and my Gorgonzola Pasta with Chicken. Click on the links for the full recipe.

Why this Creamy Bacon Pasta Recipe is a Keeper

I love this pasta with a rich and creamy bacon sauce because it’s a quick and easy one pan meal. It’s truly perfect to add to an easy dinner recipe stash.

• One Pot Dinner: Pasta and sauce cook together which means fewer dishes.
• Pantry Friendly: Most ingredients are common grocery staples, streaky bacon, pasta etc.
• Weeknight Fast: Dinner can be on the table in about 30 minutes.
• Family Favorite: Creamy pasta and crispy bacon are always a hit. Add more pasta or garlic bacon to feed a crowd.
• Serve With: Serve with a side salad, Maple Glazed Brussel Sprouts or Honey Garlic Roasted Baby Carrots.

How Do You Keep Creamy Pasta Sauce From Separating?

To keep it from separating, add grated cheese to make the sauce thicken. Keep it at a gentle simmer to prevent it from getting too hot. Also, don’t stir too much or else the sauce will break down.

Ingredient Notes to Make Creamy Pasta with Bacon

You only need a few simple ingredients, and many are kitchen staples! You will need homemade chicken stock or broth and the following.

This is an overview of key ingredients. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.

• Pasta: I prefer to use linguini, but you really can add pasta that that you like.
• Bacon: Use low-sodium bacon so you can better control the salt content.
• Tomatoes: You will need cherry tomatoes and cans of diced tomatoes.
  

Kitchen Tools To Make This Recipe Easier

You don’t need anything fancy for this pasta dish except for a large skillet or Dutch oven.

• Large Skillet or Dutch Oven: A wide pan helps the pasta cook evenly while allowing the sauce to reduce properly for this pasta carbonara recipe.

How to Make Creamy One Pot Pasta with Crispy Bacon

This pasta with bacon recipe comes together in just 3 easy to follow steps. Creamy sauce pasta is so easy and delicious, I come back to it again and again.

These are just highlights. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.

• Cook the Bacon: Slice the bacon into strips. Cook in a large skillet until crisp, then remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate to drain the bacon fat. Leave some bacon grease in the skillet and discard the rest.
• Cook the Pasta: Sauté the onion and red pepper flakes for a couple minutes, then add the garlic. Add the chicken broth and tomatoes, and bring the skillet to a simmer. Add the pasta, salt and half of the bacon, then cover and cook until the pasta is almost done.
• Make it Creamy: Remove from heat, and stir in the cream cheese, cherry tomatoes and some of the parsley. Cover again, and let sit so the pasta and cook the rest of the way. Toss the pasta so it is coated in the sauce. Serve with the rest of the bacon, parsley and parmesan cheese.

Alternate Cooking Methods

Try making this favorite recipe by using your pressure cooker or oven. 

• Instant Pot: Add the bacon and cook using sauté mode. Then pressure cook pasta with sauce ingredients before you add the cream and cheese.
• Oven Finish: Transfer completed pasta to a baking dish, add cheese, and broil briefly for a bubbly top.