This pea and bacon rigatoni comes together in just 20 minutes. It’s a delicious (and budget friendly) dinner that’s perfect for any night of the week.
This recipe for Pea and Bacon Pasta came about on a chilly, rainy day. I hadn’t been to the grocery store in a week and really did not want to head out on this chilly, wet, typical Oregon day.
Instead, I put on my yoga pants, turned on the TV, and started scouring the cupboards thinking up ideas for dinner. 
I eventually came across what would make up a fairly well-rounded dinner:
Peas from the freezer (always on hand in case anyone sprains an ankle).
Half of a package of rigatoni, leftover from the last time I enjoyed some Sunday Gravy.
A few strips of bacon.
The last little bit of cream cheese in the package.
The result? A creamy bowl of pasta goodness flecked with bits of smoky bacon and peas.
Plus, it’s got all your food groups in one bowl…
Vegetables, carbs, dairy, protein – Right?
And even though it was a basic Tuesday night… I decided to pop open some bubbles too!
Creamy Pea and Bacon Rigatoni
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This pea and bacon rigatoni comes together in just 20 minutes. It’s a delicious (and budget friendly) dinner that’s perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rigatoni 1/2 package
- 4 slices bacon chopped in 1-inch pieces
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/3 cup milk
- 3 Tablespoons cream cheese
- 1/2 cup basil minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Bring large pot of salted water to boil, over high heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving cooking liquid.
- Fry chopped bacon over medium heat, until crisp. Set aside on paper towels, and drain fat from pan. Add butter to pan over medium heat. Once butter has melted, add garlic and heat 3-5 minutes. Add in peas, milk and cream cheese. Bring to boil and simmer on low for 5 minutes. Add bacon back to pan, along with basil and salt and pepper, to taste.
- Toss cooked pasta with sauce, along with reserved pasta water, as needed, to obtain your desired consistency.
- Top with shredded parmesan and serve with a Prosecco Superiore wine.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main
