If you have been on the hunt for the perfect lightened up bacon & pea alfredo recipe look no further, you have found it. Anybody who knows me knows I am a pasta connoisseur. Pasta is my favorite food… ever. I would sell my soul to be able to eat pasta for every meal and never gain weight. My favorite types of pasta are cheesy and creamy (think alfredo and mac & cheese), so when I tell you this recipe is good you have to trust me and try it for yourself! I hate making a billion dishes so this recipe is perfect for a quick and easy one pot recipe that is sure to become a family favorite.

Rigatoni pasta in a light cream sauce with parmesan cheese, bacon, and peas

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is quick and easy!
One pan. I mean come on… who likes doing dishes anyway?
It’s lightened up! It only has 1/4 cup heavy cream but it is not short on flavor.
Bacon. This needs no other explanation.
Peas! Sneaking in those veggies when they are disguised by this delicious sauce!

To Make One Pot Creamy Bacon & Pea Alfredo You Will Need:

Bacon – I like to use the thick cut bacon so I get some nice chunky pieces in my pasta. The grease is vital to the recipe so make sure you don’t drain any!
Garlic – You can use fresh garlic but minced garlic from a jar works just fine for this recipe.
Dried Pasta – You’ll need to use boxed not fresh pasta for this recipe. I like to use Rigatoni or Penne.
Chicken Broth – I don’t recommend going with the low sodium broth for this since the broth makes up half the sauce.
Water – This will be cooking the pasta directly in the pan.
Salt & Pepper – To bring out the flavors in the sauce.
Peas – You can use whatever vegetable you like but there is something so classic about peas for this recipe.
Heavy Cream – This constitutes the other half of the sauce and gives it that creamy delicious thickness *cue mouth watering*.
Parmesan Cheese – I normally would say you always need to use fresh Parmesan for every recipe, but for this recipe you can use pre-grated cheese and it will still come out great!

Thick cut bacon cooking in a large deep skillet pan

How To Make One Pot Creamy Bacon & Pea Alfredo:

Take your bacon and coarsely chop it, then add it to the pan. The bacon will cook in its own grease, no need to add pam or butter.
Once the bacon has been cooked until crispy transfer the bacon and grease to a bowl, do not drain any of the bacon grease.
In the warm pan add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds constantly mixing or until fragrant. You don’t want to burn your garlic so make sure your heat is on low.
Add in your pasta, water, salt & pepper, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Cover and simmer on low heat for 13-15 minutes or until pasta is fork tender. Only stir the mixture once, it is important to keep it covered so it has time to reduce and cook down.
Add heavy whipping cream, peas, and parmesan cheese and stir. Cook an additional 2 minutes until cheese is fully melted and peas are heated all the way through.
Add bacon and stir. If you’d like you can save some bacon on the side to top your plate with.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Rigatoni pasta in a matte white pasta bowl with parmesan cheese, bacon, and peas.

Rigatoni with bacon and peas in a matte white pasta bowl

One Pot Creamy Bacon & Pea Alfredo

The best recipe for one pot alfredo with bacon and peas! Less dishes, more flavor!

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 People

Ingredients

4 slices thick-cut bacon, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces dried pasta of your choice About half a box
1¾ cup chicken broth
1 cup water
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 cup frozen peas
¼ cup heavy whipping cream
½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

In a deep skillet pan cook the chopped bacon until crispy.
Remove the bacon and set aside in a bowl, do not drain any of the bacon grease.
In the warm pan add garlic, cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
Add in pasta, chicken broth, water, salt, and pepper.
Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce heat and simmer covered for 13 to 15 minutes or until pasta is tender. Only stir once.
Add heavy whipping cream, peas, and parmesan cheese and stir.
Cook and stir an additional 2 minutes until cheese is melted and fully incorporated and peas are heated through.
Add bacon and stir. Enjoy!

Keyword alfredo, bacon and peas, parmesan cheese, rigatoni

Notes

You can use either fresh parmesan cheese or pre-grated for this recipe, it will come out great either way.
Make sure you use the thick-cut bacon which will add the most bacon grease to the sauce (this is half the flavor)!