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Home / Recipes / Dinner / Pasta / One Pot Pea and Bacon Pasta

One Pot Pea and Bacon Pasta

20 mins
| 76 Comments |
4.91 from 11 votes
Jump to Recipe 04/19/21 | Updated: 04/20/21 | by Nora
Pea and Bacon Pasta Image Pasta Pin 1

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!

close up view of pea and bacon pasta in white skillet with wooden spoon

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!

ingredients for pea and bacon pasta with text labels
Ingredients for One Pot Pea and Bacon Pasta: Chicken broth, small shell pasta, bacon, ricotta cheese, peas, milk, parmesan, onion, garlic, salt, pepper and optionally fresh parsley.

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.

  • fried bacon in white cast iron skillet
    cook bacon until crispy
  • crispy cooked bacon on paper towels
    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).

  • browned onion in white cast iron skillet
    cook onion and garlic
  • pouring chicken broth over browned onion in white skillet
    pour in chicken broth

4. Add the milk, pasta, peas and seasoning and stir well.

  • uncooked pasta and frozen peas with milk and broth in white skillet
    add milk, pasta, peas and seasoning
  • female hand stirring pasta and peas into milk with wooden spoon
    stir well

5. Simmer until the pasta is done, adding more broth as needed. Then stir in the cheeses until creamy.

  • cooked pasta and peas in white skillet
    cook until pasta is done
  • female hand stirring ricotta cheese into cooked pasta and peas
    stir in cheeses
  • crumbled bacon on white plate
    crumble bacon
  • add bacon and parsley

6. Crumble the bacon and add it to the pasta with the parsley (if using), then serve immediately!

overhead view of pea and bacon pasta in white pot with wooden spoon

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.
close up photo of pea and bacon pasta

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. Sign up for my email list, too!

Printable Recipe Card
overhead view of pea and bacon pasta in white pot with wooden spoon
Save Recipe Saved!

One Pot Pea and Bacon Pasta

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!
Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings
made it? tap the stars to add your rating!
4.91 from 11 votes
Print Add Review

Recipe details

Prep 5 mins
Cook 15 mins
Total 20 mins
Servings 4 servings
Difficulty Easy

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.
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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

Serving: 1servingCalories: 628kcalCarbohydrates: 77gProtein: 28gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 1207mgPotassium: 657mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 644IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 314mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Recipe first published on 05/06/2015. Updated with slight improvements to recipe, new photos and better text on 04/19/2021.

More one pot pasta recipes

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Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings
About Nora 
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me!   Learn more.

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Comments

  1. marcie says

    May 13, 2015 at 7:35 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 15, 2015 at 10:01 am

      Awww thanks Marcie!

      Reply
  2. amanda @ fake ginger says

    May 12, 2015 at 4:56 pm

    This looks so so so delicious! I love a one pot recipe – can’t wait to try this one!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 15, 2015 at 9:13 am

      Thanks so much Amanda!

      Reply
  3. Sam @ SugarSpunRun says

    May 11, 2015 at 5:22 pm

    I love one pot meals and my husband LOVES bacon, this looks like a win-win and is going into our dinner rotation!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 9:53 pm

      Yay, Sam! It’s great when recipes line up with every family member 🙂

      Reply
  4. Nicole @ Or Whatever You Do says

    May 11, 2015 at 3:08 pm

    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! 😉

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 4:07 pm

      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!!

      Reply
  5. Nutmeg Nanny says

    May 11, 2015 at 2:58 pm

    I LOVE one pot cooking! Plus who can’t behind pasta, peas and bacon?

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 4:06 pm

      Haha, SO true!

      Reply
  6. Beth says

    May 11, 2015 at 2:21 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 4:06 pm

      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 🙂

      Reply
  7. Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says

    May 11, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    I have never cooked pasta directly in the sauce either, but oh baby I will now cuz this recipe is gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 4:05 pm

      It took me a while to come round but it’s definitely worth it 🙂 Thanks Amy!

      Reply
  8. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

    May 10, 2015 at 5:33 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 4:05 pm

      Thanks, Thalia!

      Reply
  9. Tammi @ Tea For Tammi says

    May 09, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 4:04 pm

      Thank you for stopping by, Tammi!

      Reply
  10. Jess @ Sweetest Menu says

    May 09, 2015 at 6:33 am

    Pasta is totally my weakness – this looks amazing! I will have to try it – and one pot, you can’t go wrong!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 4:04 pm

      Yep, mine too Jess! Thanks 🙂

      Reply
  11. Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says

    May 09, 2015 at 12:47 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 4:04 pm

      Thanks Lucy!

      Reply
  12. Rachel @ Bakerita says

    May 08, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 4:04 pm

      Thanks Rachel!

      Reply
  13. Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says

    May 08, 2015 at 5:40 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 4:04 pm

      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!

      Reply
  14. Simone @ Basil and Chook says

    May 08, 2015 at 1:05 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 4:02 pm

      Wow Simone, I couldn’t even think about making bread these days! Go you 🙂

      Reply
  15. Lauren @ Create Bake Make says

    May 08, 2015 at 11:31 am

    5 stars
    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 4:01 pm

      Thank you for taking the time to host the link up, Lauren! And thanks for stopping by 🙂

      Reply
  16. Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says

    May 08, 2015 at 3:58 am

    This pasta looks divine! After all, you really can’t go wrong with bacon!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 4:01 pm

      Thank you Shelby!

      Reply
  17. Annie @Maebells says

    May 07, 2015 at 9:24 pm

    5 stars
    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! 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 4:00 pm

      That’s so true, Annie! I need to print this quote and hang it up in my kitchen 🙂

      Reply
  18. Liz @ Floating Kitchen says

    May 07, 2015 at 7:25 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 4:00 pm

      Haha, thanks Liz!

      Reply
  19. Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says

    May 07, 2015 at 7:19 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 3:59 pm

      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 😉

      Reply
  20. Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says

    May 07, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 3:59 pm

      Thanks Kristi! And you should try to put peas in your pasta ASAP! 🙂

      Reply
  21. Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says

    May 07, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 3:58 pm

      It took me a while to try this combo but it’s unbeatable!

      Reply
  22. Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says

    May 07, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    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. 😉

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 3:58 pm

      Haha Sarah, anything with bacon in it i good for breakfast in my books 😉

      Reply
  23. Danielle says

    May 07, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    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 😉

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 3:57 pm

      Thanks Danielle!

      Reply
  24. Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says

    May 07, 2015 at 12:04 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 3:57 pm

      I’m hardly any cooler than you – I’m still dreaming of those cookie tacos! Yeah, good old bacon… Always a winner 😀

      Reply
  25. Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says

    May 06, 2015 at 9:44 pm

    I love one pot pasta dishes! This looks delicious, rally like the bacon and pea. Great flavours!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 11, 2015 at 3:57 pm

      Thanks Jess!

      Reply
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Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings

Hi, I'm Nora! I wasn't always a good cook, but then I fell in love with a professional chef and learned my way around the kitchen. Now I share all my secrets to effortlessly great food here on my blog, bite-sized for home cooks just like me and you.

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