Creamy Bacon Penne Pasta
A rich and comforting restaurant-style pasta featuring crispy bacon and al dente penne tossed in a velvety cream sauce with a hint of bright lemon salt.
This creamy bacon penne captures the indulgence of a favorite restaurant dish in a simple, home-cooked meal. By sautéing bacon and garlic together, you create a deeply flavorful base that infuses the heavy cream sauce, while a final touch of lemon salt cuts through the richness to create perfect harmony. It is an ideal quick dinner that feels sophisticated yet remains deeply satisfying.
Ingredients
- 200 g penne pasta
- 100 g bacon
- 3 cloves garlic
- 20 g butter
- 150 ml heavy cream
- 1 tbsp cooking wine
- 1 tsp lemon salt
- to taste salt (for pasta water)
- optional cooking oil
Instructions
- 1Prepare the bacon
Take the bacon strips and chop them into smaller, bite-sized pieces on a wooden cutting board to ensure they cook evenly and distribute well throughout the pasta.
Tip: Keep the bacon pieces uniform in size for consistent cooking. - 2Mince the garlic
Carefully mince the garlic cloves on your cutting board. Finely chopping the garlic will allow it to release its full aroma and flavor into the butter and bacon mixture.
Tip: Use a sharp knife to achieve a fine, even mince for better flavor distribution. - 3Boil the penne
Bring a pot of water to a boil, adding a touch of salt and oil to prevent sticking and enhance flavor. Add the dry penne pasta and cook for 10 minutes until al dente.
Tip: Stir the pasta occasionally during the first few minutes of boiling to ensure it doesnt stick together. - 4Melt the butter
Place a cube of butter into a large metal pan over medium heat. Allow it to melt completely until it begins to foam slightly, creating a rich base for your aromatics.
Tip: If you dont have butter, cooking oil is a perfectly suitable substitute that wont significantly change the final result. - 5Sauté aromatics and bacon
Add the minced garlic and chopped bacon to the melted butter. Sauté until the bacon is slightly browned and the garlic is fragrant, releasing its oils into the pan.
Tip: Keep the heat moderate to prevent the garlic from burning while the bacon browns. - 6Add the cream
Once the garlic and bacon are sautéed, add a splash of cooking wine to deglaze the pan and remove any gamey smell. Then, pour in the heavy cream to create a luscious, flavorful sauce base.
Tip: Simmer the cream gently to allow the flavors from the bacon and garlic to infuse into the sauce. - 7Combine pasta and sauce
Add the cooked penne into the pan with the creamy bacon and garlic sauce. Toss the pasta thoroughly to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the rich, fragrant sauce.
Tip: Toss gently to keep the penne intact and fully coated in the creamy mixture. - 8Season with lemon salt
Once the pasta is well coated, sprinkle a dash of lemon salt over the mixture. This single seasoning adds a bright, tangy depth that balances the richness of the cream.
Tip: Add the seasoning sparingly, stir well, and taste to adjust before serving. - 9Final presentation
Give the pan a final stir to combine the lemon salt with the creamy pasta. Serve immediately while the sauce is fragrant and hot.
Tip: Serve while steaming hot to maintain the best creamy consistency.
