Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Protein
- 6 oz thick-cut bacon, chopped
Vegetables
- 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
Dairy & Fats
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency later.
- Crisp the Bacon: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon pieces and cook until golden and crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Sauté the Mushrooms and Garlic: In the same skillet with bacon fat, add a tablespoon of butter and let it melt. Add sliced mushrooms and cook until they release moisture and turn golden. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Combine Everything: Add the drained pasta and crispy bacon back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta fully. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish for color and freshness. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- Use quality thick-cut bacon for best smoky flavor.
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain texture when tossed in sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Allow mushrooms to brown well to enhance umami.
- Toss pasta gently to keep noodles intact and sauce creamy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free pasta substitution)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, bacon pasta, mushroom pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe