Try making this One Pot Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas! It's a tasty, filling, and delicious pasta made with a thick alfredo sauce, crispy bacon, and sweet peas.
If you are craving more delicious alfredo inspired recipes, then be sure to try making the three ingredient Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe or some Chicken Alfredo Biscuit Pizza.

By now I think that it's safe to say that this blog is all about simple meals and desserts. I'm also pretty sure that you find yourself like me in regards to being short on time, but still wanting to cook yourself, family, and friends a decent homemade meal.
When I was growing up we rarely and I mean rarely ate out. My mother cooked a home-cooked meal each and every day and dinner was served at the dinner table around the same time every evening. Eating out back then, was rare and considered a special treat reserved for occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries.
These were considered to be a big deal. And I will be the first to tell you that these meals were serious Sunday dinner type meals, not no hamburger helper or meals from a freezer section was ever involved and the cornbread was always made from scratch and served piping hot from the oven.
Nowadays I may not create a Sunday type meal on a weeknight, but the desire to be in control of what I feed my family is still there. I do prefer to make a homemade meal for my family instead of grabbing fast food. So I try to find and create recipes that combine a few ingredients to help me have dinner on the table quickly like in an hour or less.
This easy pasta recipe should help you be able to do that. Be sure to add it to your weekly recipe list soon. Let's get started!
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Ingredients You'll Need
- Bacon - Try to use thick-cut bacon for this alfredo recipe. It provides a nice saltiness that cut through and balances the rich creamy pasta sauce.
- Pasta - Use any short pasta that you prefer for this recipe. I prefer to use shells, penne, or rotini pasta.
- Garlic - This recipe requires two cloves of garlic, but feel free to use more if you would like. Give the pasta sauce a nice aromatic flavor.
- Chicken Broth - Provides salt and gives the pasta great flavor. You can also use vegetable broth or chicken stock instead.
- Peas - Adds a slightly sweet bit to the pasta and adds a different texture. I prefer to use frozen peas.
- Heavy Cream - Helps to give structure to the alfredo sauce and make it thick, rich, and creamy. May substitute whole milk instead in the same unit of measure.
- Parmesan Cheese - Helps to thicken the sauce and adds in a cheesy element. Try to use freshly grated parmesan cheese instead of the bag or powder version.
- Salt & Ground Black Pepper - Adds spice to the pasta and prevents it from tasting flat. Make adjustments as needed to your preference.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.
Step By Step Instructions
Begin the recipe in a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat, add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Carefully drain off the fat. Add the minced garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Stir in the pasta, chicken broth, water, salt, and ground black pepper. Allow all of the pasta ingredients to come up to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot/skillet with a lid, and allow it to cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the pasta becomes al dente (fork tender, but firm).
Remove the lid and add in the frozen peas, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and then stir often for about 2 minutes to combine and heat up all of the ingredients.
The sauce will thicken as it cools. Serve warm topped with some additional parmesan cheese grated on top. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Grate the parmesan cheese yourself for the best results. Try not to use the bag version of shredded parmesan cheese or the powder version that is located on the grocery store shelf.
- Use any short pasta that you prefer, like penne, rotini, or medium shells. Gluten-free pasta will work as well.
- I recommend using fresh or frozen green peas and not canned.
- Do not overcook the pasta, it should still have a little bite to it. Cook it until it is fork tender, al dente.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop in a saucepan over low heat until warm or in the microwave. I do not recommend freezing this pasta recipe.
📖 Recipe
Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, coarsely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces pasta
- 14.5 ounces (1 can) chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas
- â…“ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
Instructions
- Begin the recipe in a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat, add the 4 slices of chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Carefully drain off the fat. Add the 2 cloves minced garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the 8 ounces pasta, 14.5 ounces chicken broth, 1 cup water, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Allow all of the pasta ingredients to come up to a rolling boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot/skillet with a lid, and allow it to cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the pasta becomes al dente (fork tender, but firm).
- Remove the lid and add in the 1 cup frozen peas, ⅓ cup heavy cream, and ¼ cup parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and then stir often for about 2 minutes to combine and heat up all of the ingredients.
- The sauce will thicken as it cools. Serve warm topped with some additional parmesan cheese grated on top. Enjoy!
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Grate the parmesan cheese yourself for the best results. Try not to use the bag version of shredded parmesan cheese or the powder version that is located on the grocery store shelf.
- Use any short pasta that you prefer, like penne, rotini, or medium shells. Gluten-free pasta will work as well.
- I recommend using fresh or frozen green peas and not canned.
- Do not overcook the pasta, it should still have a little bite to it. Cook it until it is fork tender, al dente.
Nutrition
*All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands used, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
Original post date 04/22/2019. Updated 03/29/2023.
More Recipes You'll Love
- Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
- Chicken Alfredo Biscuit Pizza
- One Pot Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon
- Ranch BLT Pasta Salad
- Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ideas and ways to enjoy this Creamy Bacon Alfredo Pasta Recipe? Please share them in the comment section below!
Sonya
Yummy!!! I use to made homemade Alfredo at least once a week back when I was eating pasta a lot. It was always a yummy and quick meal.
admin
YES!! Pasta is so quick and easy...we try to limit it to once or twice a week.
Akaleistar
If it has bacon, it has to be good 🙂
admin
That is exactly how I feel...anything with bacon is great 🙂
Christina
This looks amazing! Also, I love that magazine. I haven't seen it before. Where did you get it from? I pinned this so I can try it for my family. Looks delicious. Shared on my Facebook page as well. Have a great Saturday!
admin
Thank you so much! I purchased this magazine from Publix...it caught my eye while waiting in the checkout line and I had to have it 🙂