Go Back Email Link
+ servings
Bacon and peas pasta on a blue plate.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Bacon and Pea Pasta

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings: 7 servings
Author: Aleksandra

Ingredients

  • 13 oz (370g) dry small pasta, small bowties, small shells, or small elbow pasta
  • 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup (90g) grated parmesan, plus more to serve
  • 1 cup (90g) grated pecorino cheese, or parmesan
  • 2 tablespoons frying oil
  • 12 oz (340g) thick-cut bacon, or leftover ham
  • 2 medium onions
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine or broth
  • 1/2 cup pasta cooking water or more broth
  • 4 cups (21 oz/600g) peas
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • chili flakes to taste, optional
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta al dente (it should have a bite to it) in a large pot, about 30-60 seconds shorter than the time on the package. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and add it back to the pot, put it back on the burner over low heat.
  • Add the broth and warm up. Add both types of grated cheese, in about 4 additions, and stir until the cheese is mostly melted. Set aside.
  • Dice the bacon and onions, finely chop garlic. Grate the cheese on the small holes of a block grater.
  • Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-low heat. When hot add the bacon. Cook for a couple of minutes until browned. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a plate.
  • Add the onions and cook for about 5 minutes or until soft and translucent. Add the garlic, and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Add the wine and cook for a couple of minutes or until reduced in half.
  • Add the pasta cooking water and peas. Cook for about a minute until warm (or for 2-3 minutes if peas are frozen).
  • Add the peas and bacon to the pot with pasta. Stir until evenly distributed.
  • Season the pasta with lemon juice, chili flakes, salt and pepper.
  • Serve with more grated parmesan and enjoy!

Notes

  • If using leftover ham, I also like to brown it in the pan to get more flavor.
  • White wine adds flavor and acidity to the dish, you could add broth instead if you don't want to use it but you may need to add a little bit more lemon juice.
  • If you'd like your bacon to stay very crispy or you've used thinly sliced bacon, you can reserve it and sprinkle it on top of your pasta when ready to serve.
  • Calories = 1 serving (1/7 of the recipe). This is only an estimate!

Nutrition

Calories: 605kcal