Creamy Garlic Bacon Penne Pasta
A rich and velvety weeknight classic, this penne pasta is tossed in a luxurious cream sauce infused with crispy, golden-brown bacon and fragrant minced garlic.
This creamy bacon penne is a comforting, restaurant-style dish that is surprisingly simple to recreate in your own kitchen. By slowly rendering the bacon and garlic into a butter base before finishing with heavy cream, you achieve a depth of flavor that coats every ridge of the pasta. It is a perfect example of how high-quality, simple ingredients can come together to create a truly indulgent main course.
Ingredients
- 250 g penne pasta
- 150 g bacon
- 3 cloves garlic
- 20 g butter
- 150 ml heavy cream
- 1 tbsp cooking liquor
- to taste lemon salt
Instructions
- 1Slice the bacon
Place the bacon on a sturdy cutting board and slice it into small, uniform rectangular pieces. This ensures they cook evenly and can be easily incorporated into the pasta dish.
Tip: For easier slicing, keep the bacon slightly chilled before cutting. - 2Mince the garlic
Using a sharp knife, mince the garlic cloves into fine pieces on your cutting board. Consistent, small pieces will allow the garlic flavor to distribute evenly throughout the sauce.
Tip: If you are sensitive to the smell of garlic on your hands, use a garlic press or wear food-safe gloves. - 3Prepare the boiling water
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt and a splash of cooking oil to the water; the oil helps prevent the pasta from sticking together during the cooking process.
Tip: Ensure the water is boiling vigorously before adding the pasta to maintain proper texture. - 4Boil the penne pasta
Carefully add the dry penne pasta into the boiling water. Cook for approximately ten minutes, or according to package directions, until al dente.
Tip: Stir the pasta occasionally during the first minute to ensure it does not clump. - 5Melt the butter
Place a stainless steel pan over medium heat and add a pat of butter. Allow the butter to melt completely until it begins to bubble gently, creating a flavorful base for your ingredients.
Tip: Keep the heat moderate to prevent the butter from burning too quickly. - 6Fry the bacon and garlic
Add the sliced bacon and minced garlic to the melted butter in the pan. Stir-fry them over medium heat until the bacon edges are slightly browned and the garlic is fragrant.
Tip: Watch the garlic closely, as it can burn easily once it becomes fragrant. - 7Deglaze the pan
Add a splash of cooking liquor to the pan with the fried bacon and garlic. This step helps to deglaze the pan and remove any gamey taste from the meat, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Tip: Be careful when adding liquid to a hot pan, as it may steam up quickly. - 8Add the cream
Pour the heavy cream into the pan with the bacon and garlic mixture. Allow it to heat through until the sauce becomes fragrant and milky, creating a smooth and rich base for the pasta.
Tip: Keep the heat at a medium level to prevent the cream from curdling while it warms up. - 9Combine pasta and sauce
Add the pre-boiled and drained penne pasta directly into the pan with the bubbling cream sauce. This ensures the pasta absorbs the creamy texture and flavors of the bacon and garlic.
Tip: Make sure your pasta is well-drained so it doesnt dilute the creamy sauce. - 10Season and finish
Sprinkle the lemon salt over the pasta while continuously stirring with a spatula. Continue to toss the ingredients until every piece of pasta is thoroughly coated in the creamy sauce, then serve immediately.
Tip: Toss gently to ensure the pasta remains intact while becoming evenly coated.
