Creamy Bacon Pasta

Recipes

Creamy Bacon Pasta

This Creamy Bacon Pasta features an indulgent tomato cream sauce loaded with garlic, Parmesan cheese, simple seasonings, and crispy bacon!

Ingredients

Seasoning:

  • ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon mustard powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Pasta:

  • 5 slices bacon
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese, at room temperature
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 oz spaghetti
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Cook the Bacon

  • Heat a large skillet over low heat.
  • Cook the bacon slowly until crispy on both sides.
  • Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings in the skillet.
  • Remove any black flecks from the pan but leave the browned bits—they add great flavor.

2. Sauté the Garlic

  • Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the reserved bacon drippings over medium heat.
  • Pour a splash of chicken broth into the pan.
  • Scrape the bottom of the pan with a silicone spatula to deglaze and lift the browned bits.
  • Continue adding small splashes of chicken broth while stirring the garlic for 1–2 minutes.

3. Prepare the Sauce

  • Once the pan is deglazed, add the remaining chicken broth.
  • Stir in the tomato paste, seasoning mixture, and heavy cream until well combined.
  • Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
  • Add the cherry tomatoes, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and the room-temperature cream cheese.
  • Stir until the cream cheese is fully incorporated.
  • Partially cover the skillet and let the sauce simmer gently. The cherry tomatoes will eventually burst.

4. Cook the Pasta

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions, reducing the cooking time by 1 minute for al dente texture.

5. Finish the Sauce

  • Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt if needed.
  • Reduce the heat on the sauce to low.
  • Gradually sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until melted and smooth. Ensure the sauce isn’t too hot to prevent graininess.

6. Combine Pasta and Sauce

  • Use tongs to transfer the cooked spaghetti directly into the sauce.
  • Toss the pasta to evenly coat with the sauce.
  • Allow it to cook in the sauce for an additional minute to thicken and absorb flavors.

7. Serve

  • Chop the cooked bacon and sprinkle it over the pasta.
  • Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
  • Serve immediately, perhaps alongside Garlic Bread with Cheese.

Enjoy your delicious Creamy Bacon Pasta!