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!
“That’s just something I’ll never do!”
Sound familiar? Well, I guess most of us have been there.
We insist on totally not being that girl who runs after every trend but then we cave and buy alll the PSLs our Starbucks has to offer during fall.
We claim we will not ever let our boyfriend see us without makeup, even after getting married. Riiight.
And I’ve been known to shout it from the rooftops – nope, I’m not going to make one pot pastas.
No, that’s not exactly what I said. It was more along the lines of “yeah sure, I’ll continue cooking seven course meals, three times a day with a baby. She’ll sleep all day long anyways.”
And do you know what happened next? This One Pot Spinach Pea Pasta, that’s what.
Even though I struggled with coming to terms with the fact that motherhood also meant not cooking fancy oyster and caviar concoctions (I’m exaggerating) – secretly I SO fell in love with the beauty of simple cooking.
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.
I’ve made this particular pea and bacon pasta a few times now and this is definitely my favorite version I’m sharing with you today.
I tried cooking it in cream, I tried adding lemon zest and chili and I tried various amounts of cheese.
While I do encourage you to try the lemon zest/chili thingy if you like your food with a punch, the recipe works pretty much perfectly otherwise and you will end up with a lovely pot full of fragrant, creamy bacon pasta.
And all you’ll have to wash up is one pot.
OK, maybe a chopping board and knife as well.
Now one more thing: I know not everyone appreciates a post full of process pictures and a lot of people want to get to the recipe straight away without too much scrolling.
For those who still like the guidance of process pictures, you can download a PDF of the one pot pea and bacon pasta recipe with step-by-step pictures here. For everyone else – I’ll be quiet now 🙂
One Pot Pea and Bacon Pasta
Recipe details
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 1 (12-oz) box mini pasta shells uncooked
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups milk whole or skim both work
- 1 cup frozen peas
- ground black pepper to taste
- ½ cup sour cream reduced fat is fine
- 1 ½ ounces grated parmesan
- fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium high heat and cook the bacon until it’s browned and crispy. Remove from the pan and set aside. Leave as much or as little bacon fat in the pot as you like.
- Pour the stock and milk into the hot pan (carful about splattering!) and add the pasta shells, peas and pepper. Bring to a boil and cook for about 7 minutes or until the pasta is ready.
- Take the pot off the heat and quickly stir in the sour cream.
- Add the cheese, parsley and crispy bacon to the pasta and combine.
- Serve immediately with extra cheese and parsley if you like.
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!