Easy Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon
Creamy penne pasta with peas and bacon is the ultimate quick and easy dinner. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly cooked peas and a creamy sauce without any heavy cream. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Try this classic Potato Salad recipe and Drizzle with this creamy Parmesan Peppercorn Dressing.
Why This Easy Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon Is Pure Comfort
- Better than takeout flavor in just 20 minutes
- Creamy sauce without heavy cream
- Perfectly cooked peas every time
- Family-friendly and customizable
What You'll Need for Easy Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb bacon
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Additional Parmesan cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Parmesan cheese: You can substitute with nutritional yeast for a vegan version.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents bacon from sticking and ensures even cooking. → See on Amazon
- Pasta pot with strainer — Makes draining pasta a breeze and prevents watery dishes. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon
- Cook pasta: Boil penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Cook bacon: In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving grease in the pan.
- Cook peas: Add frozen peas to the bacon grease and cook for 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Remove peas with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Make sauce: Add heavy cream to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir in garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. If desired, add red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Combine: Add cooked penne pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir to combine, adding more pasta water if needed to reach desired creaminess. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
- Serve: Divide penne pasta among plates and top with crispy bacon, peas, and desired toppings. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the peas. They'll turn mushy and lose their vibrant color. Cook them just until heated through.
- Substitution tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use olive oil to cook the peas. Add a pinch of smoked paprika for smoky flavor.
- Make-ahead tip: This dish is best served fresh, but you can prepare the components ahead of time and assemble just before serving.
- Leftovers tip: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pasta may absorb some of the sauce, so add a little water or milk when reheating.
Storing & Reheating Easy Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare components ahead of time and assemble just before serving.
Freezing Easy Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Reserve some pasta water before draining the pasta. This starchy water helps create a creamy sauce without heavy cream.
- Best substitution: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free penne pasta.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more pasta water or milk to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality pasta pot — Ensures even cooking and makes draining pasta a breeze. Pays for itself vs takeout. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb bacon
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Red pepper flakes
- Additional Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Cook bacon: In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving grease in the pan.
- Cook peas: Add frozen peas to the bacon grease and cook for 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Remove peas with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Make sauce: Add heavy cream to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir in garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. If desired, add red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Combine: Add cooked penne pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir to combine, adding more pasta water if needed to reach desired creaminess. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
- Serve: Divide penne pasta among plates and top with crispy bacon, peas, and desired toppings. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: Reserve some pasta water before draining the pasta. This starchy water helps create a creamy sauce without heavy cream.
- Best substitution: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free penne pasta.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more pasta water or milk to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare components ahead of time and assemble just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1300mg
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sat. Fat: 17g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon FAQs
It's best to prepare the components ahead of time and assemble just before serving. The pasta may absorb some of the sauce if stored in the refrigerator.
Overcooking the peas can cause them to become mushy. Cook them just until heated through for the best texture.
While you can cook the bacon in the air fryer, the rest of the recipe is best prepared on the stovetop for the creamiest sauce.
You can use milk or a combination of milk and flour to create a roux for a creamy sauce. Alternatively, use a dairy-free alternative like coconut milk or oat milk.
This recipe is not gluten-free as written. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free penne pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
