Description
Savory penne pasta with crispy bacon and sweet peas dances across your plate in a delightful Italian-inspired melody. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a comforting meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 bacon (thick slices cut into small slices)
- 0.75 pounds (340 grams) penne pasta
- 1 cup peas (frozen)
Sauce and Flavor Enhancers:
- 0.5 yellow onion (diced very small)
- 0.25 cup heavy cream
Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil at high heat.
- Add penne pasta and cook according to package instructions, reducing total cooking time by 1 minute to ensure al dente texture.
- When pasta reaches halfway point of cooking, introduce frozen peas directly into the boiling water.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature.
- Add finely diced onions and bacon to the skillet, sautéing until both turn crispy and golden without burning.
- Drain pasta and peas thoroughly using a colander, then transfer immediately into the skillet with bacon and onions.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and pour in heavy cream, gently coating all ingredients.
- Stir mixture carefully to ensure even distribution of cream and ingredients.
- Add additional cream if sauce appears too thick, creating a smooth and silky consistency.
- Transfer pasta to large serving bowls immediately to maintain optimal temperature and texture.
- Encourage guests to sprinkle their desired amount of cheese over the dish.
- Serve hot and remind diners that pasta waits for no one, emphasizing the importance of enjoying immediately.
Notes
- Perfectly time your pasta cooking to maintain that ideal al dente texture, removing it from boiling water just one minute before the package instructions suggest.
- Choose high-quality bacon for maximum flavor, ensuring it’s crisp but not burnt when sautéing with onions in olive oil.
- Keep heavy cream at room temperature before adding to prevent sudden temperature shock that might cause separation.
- For dietary variations, substitute bacon with pancetta or turkey bacon, and use lactose-free cream for those with dairy sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 493 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg