Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas – Recipe Diaries (2024)

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Rigatoni pasta with a creamy Afredo sauce and tossed with bacon and peas makes an easy weeknight dinner for all.

Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas – Recipe Diaries (1)

Alfredo sauce is a classic Italian sauce known for its rich and creamy texture. This sauce is traditionally made with butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese. However, variations of this sauce have emerged over the years, including the addition of bacon and peas. This twist on the traditional recipe adds a savory and sweet flavor to the sauce, making it a favorite among many Italian food lovers.

If you're looking for more easy dinner recipes like this please try Crack Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups or Cheesy Chicken Green Bean Bake.

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  • Why You Will Like This Recipe
  • Ingredients List
  • How to Make Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas
  • What to serve with Alfredo sauce?
  • Other Pasta Recipes
  • Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas

Why You Will Like This Recipe

With this dish, everything is made in one pan, so the noodles are cooked in a skillet with some broth and water. The noodles absorb the water and broth and then you add in the ingredients for the alfredo sauce which are the heavy cream and parmesan cheese.

Bacon and peas are added for more flavor but you can add in anything else you like. For instance, chicken, sausage cut up into rounds would be a great source for protein.

Ingredients List

Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas – Recipe Diaries (2)
  • Thick-slicedbacon, coarsely chopped
  • Chopped fresh garlic can take some time to chop so I often always use the freshly minced garlic that comes already made in a jar.
  • pasta(rotini, penne, or rigatoni pasta)
  • Chicken broth - The best type of chicken stock to use is one that is homemade. For canned stock, I look for ones that say reduced sodium or fat free.
  • Freshly ground black pepper - always to taste
  • Frozen peas - adds a good source of greens and fiber to the meal
  • Whipping cream - Dairy does not like me at all so I go for a lactose free milk such as Fairlife. It also has more protein in it.
  • Parmesan cheese (1 ounce) is a hard, granular cheese that originated in Italy. It is typically made from cow's milk and has a sharp, nutty flavor. Parmesan cheese is often grated and used as a topping for pasta dishes, salads, and other foods.
  • See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

How to Make Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas

Step 1: In a large deep skillet cook the 4 slices bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and set aside on a plate. Do not drain any grease.

Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas – Recipe Diaries (3)

Step 2: Stir in garlic; cook and stir for 30 seconds more. Add in pasta, broth, the water, salt, and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 12 to 15 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring once.

Recipe TIp: Step 2 is kind of another method for cooking the pasta in chicken broth and water. The water eventually evaporates and the noodles get cooked. You can skip this step entirely and just boil noodles the regular way until they are cooked.

Step 3: Stir in peas, whipping cream, and Parmesan cheese.

Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas – Recipe Diaries (4)

Cook and stir about 2 minutes more or until heated through. Serve immediately. If desired, top with crumbled bacon.

Serving size: 1 cup.

What to serve with Alfredo sauce?

  1. Chicken: Alfredo sauce goes great with chicken. You can add the sauce to a chicken pasta dish, or simply serve it with grilled or baked chicken breasts.
  2. Vegetables: You can add Alfredo sauce to roasted or sautéed vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus.
  3. Seafood: Alfredo sauce also pairs well with seafood. You can add it to shrimp or scallop pasta dishes, or serve it with grilled fish.
  4. Bread: Air Fryer Garlic Bread or breadsticks are a great accompaniment to Alfredo sauce. They help to soak up the sauce and make for a delicious and satisfying meal.
  5. Salad: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing can help balance out the richness of the Alfredo sauce and add some variety to your meal.

Other Pasta Recipes

  • Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
  • Cottage Cheese Pancakes (High Protein)
  • Tuna and Cottage Cheese High Protein
  • Canned Biscuit Waffles

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Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas – Recipe Diaries (9)

Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas

★★★★★5 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Jenna
  • Prep Time: 15min
  • Cook Time: 25min
  • Total Time: 35min
  • Yield: 6 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Rigatoni pasta with a creamy Afredo sauce and tossed with bacon and peas makes an easy weeknight dinner for all.

Scale

Ingredients

  • 4 slices thick-sliced bacon, coarsely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 ounces dried pasta (rotini, penne, or rigatoni pasta)
  • 1 (14 ½ oz) can chicken broth
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • ¼ cup whipping cream
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (1 ounce)

Instructions

  1. In a large deep skillet cook the 4 slices bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and set aside on a plate. Do not drain any grease.
  2. Stir in garlic; cook and stir for 30 seconds more. Add in pasta, broth, the water, salt, and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 12 to 15 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring once.
  3. Stir in peas, whipping cream, and Parmesan cheese.
  4. Cook and stir about 2 minutes more or until heated through. Serve immediately. If desired, top with crumbled bacon.
  5. Serving size: 1 cup.

Notes

Recipe and nutrition info from Better Homes and Garden

WW Points: 8 Click here to see in recipe builder (will have to log in)

  • Category: Easy
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 378
  • Sugar: 4
  • Fat: 13
  • Saturated Fat: 6
  • Carbohydrates: 49
  • Fiber: 3
  • Protein: 16

Keywords: creamy alfredo with bacon and peas

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brandi Waugh says

    this recipe is easy and the dish was delicious! this was the first time i made it and I'll definitely making it again! I did pan sear some chicken medallions and baked some garlic bread to go with it and it was so yummy. even my picky boyfriend has requested for me to make it again sooner than later!

  2. Bob says

    I add chicken chunks as an additional ingredient to my sauce.

  3. Jenna says

    Thanks glad they liked it!

  4. Lisa says

    A one dish fabulous recipe. Thank you so much!
    Kids loved it.

  5. Danelle says

    I‘be made this two or three times. It’s exactly what I was looking for! Love it!

  6. Jenna says

    Thanks Kayla!

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Creamy Alfredo with Bacon and Peas – Recipe Diaries (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to thick Alfredo sauce? ›

Add Cheese

The key ingredient in Alfredo sauce is cheese—generally Parmigiano Reggiano—and lots of it. To thicken Alfredo sauce, simply add more cheese than the amount called for in a recipe until you achieve the consistency you want.

What makes Alfredo sauce taste better? ›

Flavor Boosters

Nutmeg: A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg can elevate the flavors in your Alfredo sauce. However, use it sparingly; a little goes a long way. White Wine: A splash of a good-quality white wine can add depth and complexity. Make sure to cook off the alcohol by simmering the sauce for a few extra minutes.

How to make an Alfredo sauce thicker without flour or cornstarch? ›

Dairy-Based Thickeners
  1. Egg Yolks. Egg yolks are a terrific thickener for many things and pasta sauce is one of them. ...
  2. Cream Cheese. Cream cheese is another method to add a creaminess to your sauce. ...
  3. Heavy Cream. ...
  4. Parmesan. ...
  5. Shredded Cheese. ...
  6. Butter. ...
  7. Plain Greek Yogurt.

How do you make Alfredo more interesting? ›

- Add chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, or thyme to the Alfredo sauce for a burst of freshness and color. Simply stir the herbs into the sauce just before serving. Easy!

How do you keep Alfredo sauce creamy? ›

One of the key components to making a thick and creamy Alfredo sauce is the cream. That being said, I think you could get away with using half and half or if in a real pinch, whole milk. Keep in mind that the less fat content in the dairy the thinner and less appealing the Alfredo Sauce will be.

How long does it take for Alfredo sauce to thicken? ›

Bring the butter-cream mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently, uncovered about 3 to 5 minutes. Cook the sauce gently until it begins to thicken, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon. You'll know the Alfredo sauce recipe is thick enough when it coats the back of your spoon.

Why is my homemade Alfredo sauce not thickening? ›

Reduce the heavy cream before adding cheese

Most basic Alfredo sauce recipes today will call for heavy cream or whipping cream to recreate the thick consistency of the original dish. One trick to help create a thick Alfredo sauce is to reduce the cream before adding freshly grated cheese (via Better Homes & Gardens).

Can I use cornstarch instead of flour for Alfredo? ›

Third, I use cornstarch which does not require cooking out the raw flavor like flour. You simply mix it with the base liquid and add it to the pan. It will thicken out perfectly in minutes. It also makes the sauce gluten-free.

Can I use light cream instead of heavy cream for Alfredo? ›

(In my quest to eat healthier, I now make it with light butter, light cream and reduced fat Parmesan cheese. It still tastes wonderful, but there isn't any guilt!)

What can I add to a jar of Alfredo sauce to make it taste better? ›

Heartier herbs like thyme or oregano can be added in to simmer with the sauce. Add delicate herbs like parsley, basil, or chervil at the end to maintain their delicate, aromatic flavor. Quick tip: Swirl in a bit of leftover pesto to add another herbaceous twist to your Alfredo sauce.

What vegetables go in Alfredo? ›

Stir in big handfuls of spinach, Kale mushrooms, zucchini, onions, broccoli, spinach, squash, or grape tomatoes after the pasta is cooked. You can also substitute zucchini (zoodles) for the pasta.

What flavors compliment Alfredo sauce? ›

Add basil, parsley, oregano, or rosemary to add life to the sauce. The first three herbs are classic for many Italian dishes, and rosemary is a common addition to creamy potato dishes, so adding them to a jarred Alfredo sauce makes sense.

How do you make cream sauce thicker? ›

The most readily available sauce-thickener is flour. For a too-thin sauce, try adding a slurry (equal parts flour and water, whisked together) or beurre manie (equal parts softened butter and flour, kneaded together to form a paste)—both are ideal thickeners for rich and creamy sauces, such as steak sauce recipes.

How do you thicken creamy pasta sauce? ›

Cornstarch: Make a slurry of half water, half cornstarch and whisk until smooth. Cornstarch is a powerful thickener, so start by whisking in no more than 1 tablespoon of the mixture per 2 cups of simmering sauce; stir and simmer for 2 minutes, check the thickness, and repeat with more slurry as needed.

How do you thicken heavy cream? ›

There are several ways to thicken without turning it into whipped cream or imparting other flavors:
  1. Boil until reduced to desired thickness (whisk constantly, do not burn which will cause the flavor to change)
  2. Add and incorporate gelatin.
  3. Add and incorporate corn starch or flour.
Jan 16, 2017

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