Get ready to transform your dinner routine with the most decadent, mouth-watering pasta dish you've ever tasted! This Creamy Sausage Pasta with Bacon is not just a meal – it's a culinary experience that combines the rich, bold flavors of Italian sausage, crispy bacon, and a luxuriously smooth Parmesan cream sauce. In just 30 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality dish that will have your family and friends begging for seconds (and the recipe)!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 8 oz of penne or rigatoni pasta, 1 lb of Italian sausage (casings removed), 4 slices of chopped bacon, 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 2 cloves of minced garlic, salt, and pepper to taste. Also, have fresh parsley ready for garnish.
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until it becomes crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- In the same skillet, add the Italian sausage. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Once the sausage is cooked, add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir well to combine with the sausage and garlic, allowing it to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the cream thickens slightly.
- Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and creates a creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Return the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss it with the creamy sausage mixture until well coated. Add the crispy bacon back into the skillet and mix everything together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove the skillet from heat. Serve the creamy sausage pasta in bowls, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color and added flavor.
Tips
- Pasta Perfection: Always cook your pasta just to al dente, as it will continue to cook slightly when mixed with the sauce. The reserved pasta water is your secret weapon for achieving the perfect sauce consistency.
- Bacon Technique: Cook bacon slowly to render out the fat and achieve maximum crispiness. Use a slotted spoon to remove it, leaving the flavorful drippings in the pan for cooking the sausage.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Add Parmesan cheese gradually and off the heat to prevent clumping and ensure a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Flavor Boosting: For an extra flavor punch, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or some fresh thyme when sautéing the garlic.
- Make-Ahead Tip: This dish is best served immediately, but you can prep ingredients in advance to speed up the cooking process.Pro Chef Bonus: For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce won't be quite as rich and luxurious.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 805kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: g
Fat: 54g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 150mg
