Creamy Garlic Bacon Pasta (Print Version)

Rich pasta featuring crispy bacon, garlic, and a silky cream sauce for hearty comfort.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces spaghetti or fettuccine

→ Bacon & Aromatics

02 - 7 ounces smoked bacon or pancetta, diced
03 - 4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped

→ Sauce

04 - 1 cup heavy cream
05 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - Salt, to taste

→ Garnish

09 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
10 - Extra grated Parmesan, for serving

# How to Prepare:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook diced bacon until golden and crispy, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside. Discard all but 1 tablespoon bacon fat.
03 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add chopped garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
04 - Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese, cooked bacon, and black pepper. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
05 - Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat. Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, if needed.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and additional pepper if desired. Remove from heat. Plate the pasta, garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its the kind of dinner that makes people pause mid-bite and ask for seconds
  • The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered for hours
02 -
  • Adding garlic to hot bacon fat will burn it instantly so always melt butter first to lower the temperature
  • The sauce thickens fast off the heat so add pasta water sooner rather than later
03 -
  • Grate your own Parmesan because pre-grated cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting
  • Save extra pasta water even if you think you will not need it because you almost always will
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