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Pasta with Peas and Bacon

Bowtie pasta with crispy bacon, green peas, and parmesan cheese.
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5 from 1 review

This quick and easy pasta only needs 6 ingredients and is ready in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 tablespoon of salt for pasta cooking water
  • 1 pound of dried pasta (farfalle or bowties)
  • 1 pound of sliced bacon
  • 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
  • 2 cups frozen sweet green peas
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup reserved pasta cooking water
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Extra parmesan and crushed red pepper flakes for serving

Instructions

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, cook the pasta to al dente according to package directions.
  2. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for the sauce. Then drain the pasta and set aside until time add it to the sauce.
  3. While the pasta is cooking, cut the raw bacon into bite-sized pieces. 
  4. Use an enameled Dutch oven or a large, deep skillet to cook the bacon pieces over medium heat until crispy. Transfer the crispy bacon pieces to a paper towel lined plate.
  5. Remove all but about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease from the pan. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic until fragrant, about 20 seconds. 
  6. Stir in the frozen peas, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking for about 2 minutes to begin thawing the peas. Stir in 1 cup of reserved pasta cooking water and bring to a simmer. 
  7. Add the cooked pasta and toss to combine. 
  8. Remove the pot from the heat. Sprinkle the bacon pieces and grated parmesan over the pasta. Then, stir until the cheese melts. 
  9. Salt and pepper to taste.
  10. Garnish with extra parmesan and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

  • Cook the bacon in an enameled Dutch oven or a very large (12-inch or bigger) deep skillet. You’ll need plenty of space to toss the pound of pasta in the sauce.
  • Use any small pasta you like. Bowties, penne, elbows, shells, and orecchiette all work well.
  • Don’t forget to save your pasta cooking water for the sauce. Once the pasta is cooked, ladle some out and set it aside.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mandiofthemountains.com/pasta-with-peas-and-bacon/