Bacon & Pea Creamy Pasta

Ingredients

• 0.75 cup bacon (cooked and sliced into small pieces; about half a pack)
• 4 garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp flour (all-purpose)
• 2 cup heavy cream
• salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)
• red pepper flakes (a good pinch, plus more for topping)
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
• 0.5 cup peas
• 4 cup shell pasta (dry)
• lemon zest (for topping)
• fresh parsley (for topping)

Steps

1. 1

   Begin by mincing your garlic and slicing your bacon into small pieces. Preheat a pot with salted water.

2. 2

   Once water is boiling add pasta, remove once al dente (reserve some pasta water).

3. 3

   Add the bacon to a pan on medium heat and cook until crispy (or your preferred level of doneness), remove and set aside.

4. 4

   Drain most of the bacon grease and discard. Leave enough to cook the garlic in.

5. 5

   Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant (1-2 minutes).

6. 6

   Add in the flour and mix until a paste forms.

7. 7

   Add in the heavy cream slowly while mixing to avoid clumping.

8. 8

   Bring to a low simmer and season with red pepper flakes, salt & pepper to taste. Add any other desired seasonings here.

9. 9

   Off heat add in parmesan and mix well.

10. 10

    Add in the peas, cooked bacon, pasta, and pasta water if needed. Mix well.

11. 11

    Serve with lemon zest, red pepper flakes, more parmesan, and fresh parsley. Enjoy!

Notes

Cooking the garlic in bacon grease adds a smoky flavor to the sauce. Ensure the grease is not too hot when adding garlic to prevent burning. Always reserve some pasta water to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• bacon
• creamy
• dinner
• quick
• comfort food