This One Pot Pea and Bacon Pasta recipe is super quick and easy to put together – even the pasta gets cooked right in the creamy sauce!
I’ve made this particular pea and bacon pasta about a thousand times now – it’s my backpocket meal for those crazy days you don’t want to cook, but still have hungry mouths to feed.
It’s so quick, easy and fuss-free to make – and everything cooks in a single pot! I mean, did you see the amount of dishes there’s to wash after a one pot meal? It’s like a dream come true.
Here, crispy bacon pairs with peas and a creamy cheese sauce to create the ultimate comforting pasta dish. My family absolutely loves this, and I’m sure yours will, too!
Ingredients you’ll need
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!
Ingredient notes
- Shells: Feel free to use a different pasta shape, but I do recommend using a smaller shape that cooks in less than 10 minutes. Elbow macaroni work great, as do bow ties.
- Chicken broth: Vegetable broth works in a pinch. I do not recommend beef broth, as it can have an overpowering taste.
- Milk: I mostly use whole milk for this recipe, although 2% works great, too. 1% is OK. I would not recommend fat free milk, the pasta would be more watery/less rich.
- Peas: I have made this pasta with corn in place of the peas, and with a mixture of peas and corn. Works great!
- Bacon: Diced ham is a great substitute for the bacon, if you’re looking for something a little lighter.
- Ricotta: I love ricotta in this recipe, although cream cheese works just as well. Mascarpone yields a very decadent pasta (delicious! but decadent).
- Garlic/onion: I really like the combination of bacon, garlic and onion in this recipe, although the original version of this recipe didn’t include the onion and garlic. Feel free to leave them out, or to use ¼ teaspoon each onion and garlic powder instead.
How to make Pea and Bacon Pasta
1. Cook the bacon in a large skillet until crispy, then set it aside on paper towels to drain off any excess fat.
cook bacon until crispy drain on paper towels
2. In the same skillet in the bacon fat, cook the onion and garlic until fully softened and lightly browned.
3. Pour in about 1 cup of chicken broth to scrape away any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, then pour in 1 more cup of broth (reserve the remaining cup to add as needed while cooking the pasta).
cook onion and garlic pour in chicken broth
4. Add the milk, pasta, peas and seasoning and stir well.
add milk, pasta, peas and seasoning stir well
5. Simmer until the pasta is done, adding more broth as needed. Then stir in the cheeses until creamy.
cook until pasta is done stir in cheeses crumble bacon add bacon and parsley
6. Crumble the bacon and add it to the pasta with the parsley (if using), then serve immediately!
Recipe tips
- Do not pre-cook the pasta! It really does go in completely dry and uncooked. If you pre-cook it, your dish will come out very soupy.
- Make sure you only add 2 cups of the chicken broth initially, then gradually add the remaining cup to the pasta as it is cooking. This way, you only add as much as you need (different types of pasta require different amounts of liquid). If the dish seems too dry/not saucy enough once you stir in the ricotta cheese, just add another splash of broth to thin it out a little.
- I highly recommend serving the pasta right away – it will continue soaking up liquid as it sits and cools, and it really is the creamiest and tastiest when it is served as soon as it has finished cooking.
Leftovers
While I do not recommend making this pasta ahead on purpose, you can easily keep leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days.
I highly recommend reheating leftovers of this dish as a pasta casserole – just place them in a casserole dish (maybe add ¼ cup of milk if it seems dry), top with shredded cheese and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, until fully heated through.
Freezer tips
If you want to make this pasta ahead of time to freeze for later, I highly recommend freezing it in a casserole dish. Pack it up well, then label with the name and date. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Defrost in the fridge overnight, then unwrap, sprinkle with cheese and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.
Serving ideas
We like to serve a salad or vegetable side with this pasta dish – I love some roasted asparagus (or air fried asparagus!), sautéed green beans (or air fried green beans… ?) or some roasted broccoli with it.
For a salad, I will usually go for a creamy cucumber salad or for a tomato cucumber salad.
If you need to bulk up your meal for big eaters or to stretch it to serve more people, it tastes delicious with some grilled chicken, air fried chicken breast or air fryer pork chops.
PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.
Printable recipe
One Pot Pea and Bacon Pasta
Recipe details
Ingredients
- 4 ounces thin-cut bacon
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups milk I used whole milk; see notes
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 (12-oz) box mini pasta shells uncooked
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- ½ cup ricotta cheese see notes for substitutes
- 1 ½ ounces grated parmesan cheese
- fresh parsley chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large, deep sauté pan (or a large, wide pot) over medium high heat and cook the bacon until browned and crispy. Remove and set aside on paper towel lined plate. Leave as much or as little bacon fat in the pan as you like.
- Add onion and garlic and cook in bacon fat until fully softened and lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes.
- Pour 1 cup chicken broth into pan, scraping away any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Then, stir in 1 more cup of broth.
- Add milk, peas, pasta, salt and pepper to pan and stir well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until pasta is done and sauce has thickened, about 10 minutes. While pasta is cooking, add remaining cup of broth as needed to cook pasta and create a thick, creamy sauce.
- Once pasta is done, take off the heat and stir in ricotta cheese and grated parmesan. Crumble bacon and stir into dish along with chopped parsley, if using. Serve immediately.
Notes
Ingredient notes
- Shells: Feel free to use a different pasta shape, but I do recommend using a smaller shape that cooks in less than 10 minutes. Elbow macaroni work great, as do bow ties.
- Chicken broth: Vegetable broth works in a pinch. I do not recommend beef broth, as it can have an overpowering taste.
- Milk: I mostly use whole milk for this recipe, although 2% works great, too. 1% is OK. I would not recommend fat free milk, the pasta would be more watery/less rich.
- Peas: I have made this pasta with corn in place of the peas, and with a mixture of peas and corn. Works great!
- Bacon: Diced ham is a great substitute for the bacon, if you’re looking for something a little lighter.
- Ricotta: I love ricotta in this recipe, although cream cheese works just as well. Mascarpone yields a very decadent pasta (delicious! but decadent).
- Garlic/onion: I really like the combination of bacon, garlic and onion in this recipe, although the original version of this recipe didn’t include the onion and garlic. Feel free to leave them out, or to use ¼ teaspoon each onion and garlic powder instead.
Recipe tips
- Do not pre-cook the pasta! It really does go in completely dry and uncooked. If you pre-cook it, your dish will come out very soupy.
- Make sure you only add 2 cups of the chicken broth initially, then gradually add the remaining cup to the pasta as it is cooking. This way, you only add as much as you need (different types of pasta require different amounts of liquid). If the dish seems too dry/not saucy enough once you stir in the ricotta cheese, just add another splash of broth to thin it out a little.
- I highly recommend serving the pasta right away – it will continue soaking up liquid as it sits and cools, and it really is the creamiest and tastiest when it is served as soon as it has finished cooking.
Nutrition
More recipe information
Recipe first published on 05/06/2015. Updated with slight improvements to recipe, new photos and better text on 04/19/2021.
marcie says
This meal may be simple as you call it, but it’s pure comfort food and the flavors are just perfect! I love pastas like this, Nora, and I can’t wait to make a big pot!
Nora says
Awww thanks Marcie!
amanda @ fake ginger says
This looks so so so delicious! I love a one pot recipe – can’t wait to try this one!
Nora says
Thanks so much Amanda!
Sam @ SugarSpunRun says
I love one pot meals and my husband LOVES bacon, this looks like a win-win and is going into our dinner rotation!
Nora says
Yay, Sam! It’s great when recipes line up with every family member 🙂
Nicole @ Or Whatever You Do says
I am totally on-board with the one-pot and skillet meal trends currently happening. I usually kick and fight against all the foodie tides (STILL completely anti- Quinoa!), but those ones? Totally sold. Heck – last year I even caved and bought BAKERS TWINE and FANCY PAPER STRAWS! OH THE HORROR! 😉
Nora says
This seriously made me LOL 😀 PAPER STRAWS, whyyyyy are they so cute?! I have to buy every single one I come across and I feel so terrible about it, haha! And baker’s twine is so on my amazon list for the holiday season…. Ugh!!
Nutmeg Nanny says
I LOVE one pot cooking! Plus who can’t behind pasta, peas and bacon?
Nora says
Haha, SO true!
Beth says
Nora, your photos are so gorgeous!! I’m not a huge fan of one pot pastas, mainly because I hadn’t found one I like, but I want to try this one!
Nora says
Awww, thanks Beth! I wasn’t so convinced about the whole one pot pasta deal for a long time but it’s too simple to pass up 🙂
Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says
I have never cooked pasta directly in the sauce either, but oh baby I will now cuz this recipe is gorgeous!
Nora says
It took me a while to come round but it’s definitely worth it 🙂 Thanks Amy!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Its been too long since I made a good, creamy pasta. Definitely need to make your pea and bacon rendition Nora – it looks delicious and so comforting.
Nora says
Thanks, Thalia!
Tammi @ Tea For Tammi says
Wonderpots are my new obsession. And even though I do have a weakness for crazy elaborate meals (high five!) I still am spellbound with one-pot recipes! Thank you so much for sharing yours!
Nora says
Thank you for stopping by, Tammi!
Jess @ Sweetest Menu says
Pasta is totally my weakness – this looks amazing! I will have to try it – and one pot, you can’t go wrong!
Nora says
Yep, mine too Jess! Thanks 🙂
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
Oh I love deliciously simple pastas!!! This one sounds divine. I’ve got all of the ingredients at home so will definitely be making it this weekend.
Nora says
Thanks Lucy!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Mmm I’ve been craving a big bowl of pasta and this looks like just the thing I want!! And I love that it’s made in one pot! Drooling 🙂
Nora says
Thanks Rachel!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
I have been desperate for quick meals lately. The last thing I want to do when I get home is cook for myself, so I just grab whatever I see. Often times, it’s handfuls of cereal. Definitely trying this pasta soon!
Nora says
I struggle with this as well, Lisa! My baby can’t eat everything from the table yet so I’m usually cooking her baby food and then I’m like – phew, can’t do an adult meal now! Easy meals are definitely needed 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Simone @ Basil and Chook says
What an easy pasta dish! I love when a meal doesn’t require lots of pots and bowls to prepare it. This would be a perfect meal for our Monday nights. I always struggle at the start of the week. As this meal is so easy, I might even have time to make some bread to go with it xx
Nora says
Wow Simone, I couldn’t even think about making bread these days! Go you 🙂
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
This is the perfect meal for those chaotic week nights when I’ve got two toddlers screaming for my attention, I’m definitely going to be trying this. Thank you for linking up with us for Fabulous Foodie Fridays 🙂
Nora says
Thank you for taking the time to host the link up, Lauren! And thanks for stopping by 🙂
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
This pasta looks divine! After all, you really can’t go wrong with bacon!
Nora says
Thank you Shelby!
Annie @Maebells says
I really love the beauty of simple cooking too. I mean it is easy to slave over a stove and make an impressive meal, but it is not so easy to make an impressive meal with one pot and just 30 minutes! 🙂
Nora says
That’s so true, Annie! I need to print this quote and hang it up in my kitchen 🙂
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
All the yeses! I need more recipes like this in my life. I am the WORST at getting my act together for dinner. Never mind a 7 course meal. I can barely even find anything to eat once 6pm strikes. So easy, peasy it has to be it. Love it!
Nora says
Haha, thanks Liz!
Mariah @ Mariah’s Pleasing Plates says
One pot meals are such a thing of beauty these days….screaming baby on my hip, not so much. 😉
Pinned! Everything is gorgeous as always!
Nora says
Haha Mariah, I’m getting used to the screaming baby on my hip – though it’s getting better, as long as she’s allowed to peak in my pots and pans 😉
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
OMGosh Nora – first of all – those are *gorgeous* photos! I want to reach through the screen and devour that pasta. I have been literally *craving* peas lately. I don’t know why, but I want peas on my salad, as a side dish, etc., yet it never occurred to me to put them in pasta. And now, I want that so bad! 🙂 Pinned!
Nora says
Thanks Kristi! And you should try to put peas in your pasta ASAP! 🙂
Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says
I still have to try this bacon and sweet peas combo I have seen around the internet, I love both ingredients juts never combined them.
Nora says
It took me a while to try this combo but it’s unbeatable!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Soooo I’m just gonna sit here and swoon in pleasure at all this bacon-filled one pot-edness awesomeness going on. Hooooly MOLY this is how you do a Thursday-night dinner. Possibly even breakfast because it just looks that awesome. 😉
Nora says
Haha Sarah, anything with bacon in it i good for breakfast in my books 😉
Danielle says
One pot dishes are seriously the best, the less cleanup the better! I’m loving that this comes together in 20 minutes too! Plus bacon and peas hold a special place in my heart, I love them both 😉
Nora says
Thanks Danielle!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
Girl, you are amazing. A PDF with how to photos?! You are so much cooler than me. And plus, your post today has bacon in it. 🙂 Pinned!
Nora says
I’m hardly any cooler than you – I’m still dreaming of those cookie tacos! Yeah, good old bacon… Always a winner 😀
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
I love one pot pasta dishes! This looks delicious, rally like the bacon and pea. Great flavours!
Nora says
Thanks Jess!