Unlock the secret to stress-free weeknight dinners with this incredible One-Pan Pasta with Bacon and Peas! This recipe isn’t just easy and flavorful; it’s a complete meal cooked in a single pan, promising delicious results and the simplest cleanup imaginable. Say goodbye to piles of dishes and hello to a creamy, savory pasta dish that’s guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Easy One-Pan Pasta with Bacon and Peas: Your New Weeknight Favorite
Life can get hectic, and finding time to prepare a wholesome, delicious dinner often feels like a monumental task. That’s where the magic of one-pan meals truly shines. If you’re anything like me, the thought of a quick meal followed by an hour of scrubbing pots and pans is enough to send you straight to the takeout menu. But what if I told you there’s a solution that offers maximum flavor with minimum fuss? Welcome to the world of one-pan cooking, a culinary strategy that simplifies your kitchen life and expands your weeknight menu possibilities. And trust me, I’m a firm believer in these dishes because, let’s be honest, cleaning as you go isn’t always feasible when you’re juggling a thousand other things. So, yes, I embrace the easy way out, and you should too!
This One-Pan Pasta with Bacon and Peas isn’t just another recipe; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients can transform into something truly extraordinary. It’s designed for those busy evenings when you crave a home-cooked meal but are short on time and energy. Imagine a hearty, creamy pasta dish infused with the irresistible aroma of smoky bacon and the fresh burst of sweet peas, all cooked to perfection in a single skillet. It’s a culinary dream come true for anyone seeking efficiency without compromising on taste. Forget endless pots bubbling on the stove; this streamlined approach means everything cooks together, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully and leaving you with just one pan to wash. It’s the ultimate shortcut to a satisfying dinner, any night of the week.
Why You’ll Love This One-Pan Pasta Recipe
The beauty of this One-Pan Pasta with Bacon and Peas lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor it achieves with minimal effort. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your kitchen:
- Effortless Cleanup: The most obvious benefit! Cooking everything in one pan dramatically reduces the amount of washing up after dinner, giving you more time to relax.
- Quick & Convenient: From prep to plate, this meal comes together in under 40 minutes, making it ideal for those hectic weeknights when time is precious.
- Incredible Flavor: The secret ingredient here is bacon grease. By utilizing the rendered fat from the bacon to sauté your aromatics, you infuse the entire dish with a rich, smoky flavor that’s simply unbeatable. Paired with fresh peas and a creamy sour cream finish, every bite is a delightful experience.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Pasta is universally loved, and the combination of crispy bacon, tender pasta, and sweet peas appeals to both adults and children. It’s a fantastic way to get some vegetables into your family’s diet too!
- Perfectly Creamy Texture: The addition of sour cream at the end creates a luscious, velvety sauce that clings beautifully to every piece of pasta, without being overly heavy.
Ingredients for Your One-Pan Masterpiece
This recipe uses a handful of everyday ingredients to create something truly special. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is essential:
- Bacon: We’re using 8 ounces of diced bacon. Not only does it provide a wonderful salty, smoky crunch, but its rendered fat is crucial for building the dish’s flavor foundation.
- Onion & Garlic: The aromatic backbone of the sauce. Diced onion and minced garlic are sautéed in the bacon grease, creating a savory depth that permeates the entire dish.
- Chicken Broth & Milk: The liquid base for cooking the pasta and forming the creamy sauce. Using a combination of broth and milk ensures both flavor and richness.
- Penne Pasta: This sturdy pasta shape is perfect for one-pan cooking. Its tubular form holds the creamy sauce beautifully. Feel free to experiment with other short pasta shapes like rotini or cavatappi if penne isn’t available.
- Frozen Peas: These vibrant little gems add a pop of color, a touch of sweetness, and essential freshness to balance the richness of the bacon and cream. They cook quickly right in the pan.
- Sour Cream: This is the secret to achieving that luscious, creamy texture without making the sauce too heavy. Stirred in at the very end, it adds a delightful tang and silkiness.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste and enhancing all the other flavors.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: For serving! A sprinkle of fresh Parmesan adds a salty, umami finish that elevates the dish.
How to Make One-Pan Pasta with Bacon and Peas: A Simple Guide
Creating this delicious one-pan pasta is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect weeknight meal:
- Crisp the Bacon: Start by cooking your diced bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until it’s wonderfully crisp. This step is key for texture and flavor. Once cooked, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Build the Flavor Base: Drain most of the bacon grease from the skillet, leaving just about two tablespoons. This remaining fat is liquid gold! Add your diced onion to the hot grease and cook until it’s softened and translucent, usually 5-8 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for just an additional minute until fragrant – be careful not to burn it!
- Cook the Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and milk, bringing the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, add your dry penne pasta. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let the pasta simmer. The pasta will cook directly in the flavorful liquid, absorbing all those delicious tastes. It typically takes about 15 minutes to reach an al dente texture.
- Finish with Freshness and Creaminess: Once the pasta is cooked through, stir in the frozen peas. Continue to cook for a few more minutes until the peas are defrosted and heated through. Finally, remove the skillet from the heat, stir in the sour cream, and add back the reserved crispy bacon.
- Season and Serve: Give the pasta a taste and season generously with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, topping each portion with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. A side salad and some crusty bread would complete this perfect meal!
Tips for Success and Delicious Variations
While this recipe is incredibly forgiving, a few tips can help you achieve perfection every time:
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Keep an eye on your pasta during the simmering stage. Overcooked pasta can become mushy. You want it al dente, meaning “to the tooth” – tender but still with a slight bite.
- Adjust Liquid as Needed: Different pasta brands and pan sizes can affect liquid absorption. If your pasta seems too dry, add a splash more broth or milk. If it’s too saucy, simply cook uncovered for a few more minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: While pre-grated Parmesan works, freshly grated cheese melts better and offers a superior flavor and texture.
- Make it Vegetarian: Omit the bacon and use olive oil to cook the onions and garlic. You can add smoked paprika for a hint of smoky flavor, or incorporate plant-based bacon alternatives.
- Add More Veggies: Spinach, chopped mushrooms, or asparagus spears can be added during the last few minutes of cooking for extra nutrients and flavor.
- Spice it Up: For a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- Other Dairy Options: If you don’t have sour cream, cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream can also be used to achieve a creamy sauce, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
More One-Pan Pasta Dinners You’ll Love
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and deliciousness of one-pan meals, you’re in for a treat! This One-Pan Pasta with Bacon and Peas is just the beginning. We have a whole collection of recipes designed to simplify your cooking and minimize cleanup. Explore these other fantastic one-pan and one-pot creations:
- One Pan Enchilada Pasta: A Tex-Mex twist on easy pasta night.
- One Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff: Classic comfort food, simplified.
- Skillet Pasta with Sausage: A hearty and flavorful option for meat lovers.
- You might also enjoy other one-pan favorites like Chili Mac or this Skillet Lasagna for more quick and easy dinner inspiration.
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One Pan Pasta with Bacon and Peas
Pin Recipe
You can’t beat a one-pan dinner that is on the table in no time! This One-Pan Pasta with Peas and Bacon is easy and flavorful and a pasta dinner that is sure to go on repeat in our house!
Ingredients
- 8 oz bacon, diced
- 3/4 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup milk
- 8 oz dry penne pasta
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain all but about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease from the skillet.
- To the hot bacon grease, add the onion and cook until softened, about 5-8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and the milk, and bring to a boil. Once the liquid is boiling, add the dry pasta and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet and allow the pasta to cook until al dente, about 15 minutes.
- Once the pasta is cooked, add the peas and continue to cook until they have defrosted and are heated through. Stir in the sour cream and the reserved crispy bacon. Taste and season to your preference with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately, topped with plenty of grated Parmesan cheese.