This creamy pasta with bacon and peas is the perfect balance of rich, savory, and slightly sweet flavors! With crispy bacon, tender peas, and a velvety sauce, it’s an easy, family-friendly dinner you’ll want to make again and again.
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Let’s be real—who doesn’t love a creamy pasta dish? This quick and easy pasta with bacon and peas is inspired by some of my favorite pasta recipes, like Cajun Alfredo, anchovies pasta, kielbasa sausage pasta, and pumpkin pasta. All share one common factor: they’re packed with flavor but don’t take hours to make.
The beauty of this dish is its simplicity. With a handful of pantry ingredients, you can have a delicious meal ready in no time. Perfect for those nights when you’re craving comfort food but don’t have much time to cook. It's a win for both lazy cooks and busy nights!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick to make: From start to finish, you’ll have this dish on the table in under 30 minutes.
- Few ingredients: Uses simple pantry ingredients, making it affordable and easy to prepare.
- Family-friendly: The creamy sauce, crispy bacon, and sweet peas are flavors everyone will love.
- Versatile: You can easily switch up the ingredients for different variations.
- Comfort food: Creamy pasta is the ultimate comfort meal!
Ingredients
- Spaghetti Pasta – Pasta cooked al dente. You can use any pasta shapes you prefer.
- Cooked bacon – Crispy and smoky, adding tons of flavor.
- Sweet green peas – A touch of sweetness and color.
- Heavy cream – Makes the sauce rich and velvety.
- Chicken broth – Helps balance the creaminess.
- Garlic cloves – Because garlic makes everything better!
- Grated Parmesan – The perfect salty, cheesy finish.
- Lemon juice – Brightens up the flavors.
- Olive oil – Used for cooking the garlic.
- Salt and pepper – Essential seasonings to taste.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitution and Additions
- Turkey bacon: Swap regular bacon for turkey bacon for a healthier twist.
- Green beans: If you’re out of peas, green beans make a great substitute.
- Chicken: Add cooked chicken breast or thighs for extra protein.
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes for more heat
- Vegetarian: Omit the bacon and use vegetable broth for a vegetarian-friendly version.
How To Make Creamy Pasta with Bacon and Peas
First, cook the spaghetti in salted water until al dente, then drain. Save some pasta water before draining to adjust the sauce later. In a large pan, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, then remove and set aside. Leave a little bacon fat in the pan for extra flavor.
Add olive oil to the same pan and sauté the garlic for about a minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any bits from the pan. Stir in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the peas and let them warm through for a couple of minutes.
Crumble the bacon and add it back into the pan, then stir in the Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss in the cooked spaghetti, mixing everything well. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top, and enjoy!
What To Serve With This
- Garlic bread: The classic side to any pasta dish. Crunchy, buttery, and perfect for dipping in that creamy sauce.
- Side salad: A fresh green salad with a lemon vinaigrette balances the richness of the pasta.
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup: A warm, cheesy broccoli soup adds extra creaminess to the meal.
- Roasted veggies: Try roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts for a light yet flavorful side.
- Green Bean Casserole: A comforting side dish that brings a creamy, crunchy contrast to the pasta’s rich flavors.
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze the pasta in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and warm in a skillet with a splash of cream or broth.
- Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a little pasta water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed.
Rose's Top Tips
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Cook your pasta al dente so it has a nice bite and holds up well in the creamy sauce.
- Save some pasta water: The starch in the pasta water helps bind the sauce to the pasta.
- Use freshly grated parmesan: It melts better and adds a stronger, nuttier flavor to the dish.
- Cook bacon until crispy: The crispy texture adds a lovely contrast to the creamy sauce and tender peas.
Recipe FAQs
Traditional Italian carbonara does not include peas—it’s made with eggs, cheese, pancetta, and black pepper. However, variations outside Italy sometimes add peas for a touch of sweetness and color.
I love adding crispy pancetta, sun-dried tomatoes, or a splash of white wine for extra depth. Sometimes, I throw in a handful of spinach or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
If you want to keep it traditional, then no—peas aren’t part of classic carbonara. But if you love the sweetness and texture they add, go for it!
More Pasta Recipes To Try
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Creamy Pasta with Bacon and Peas
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 6 slices bacon crumbled or chopped
- 1 cup sweet peas
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- First, cook the spaghetti in salted water until al dente, then drain. Save some pasta water before draining to adjust the sauce later. In a large pan, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, then remove and set aside. Leave a little bacon fat in the pan for extra flavor.
- Add olive oil to the same pan and sauté the garlic for about a minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any bits from the pan. Stir in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the peas and let them warm through for a couple of minutes.
- Crumble the bacon and add it back into the pan, then stir in the Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss in the cooked spaghetti, mixing everything well. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top, and enjoy this creamy, comforting pasta dish!
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Notes
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Cook your pasta al dente so it has a nice bite and holds up well in the creamy sauce.
- Save some pasta water: The starch in the pasta water helps bind the sauce to the pasta.
- Use freshly grated parmesan: It melts better and adds a stronger, nuttier flavor to the dish.
- Cook bacon until crispy: The crispy texture adds a lovely contrast to the creamy sauce and tender peas.
