Thursday, February 05, 2026

Creamy Pasta with Smoked Bacon and Peas



 Bacon is my favorite seasoning. How could Creamy Pasta with Smoked Bacon and Peas not be a great a wonderful combination? It is very good. We recommend it!

We started with Hungry Cat SaladEven though Hungry Cat, the restaurant, has closed - we continue to make their Salad. I like the avocado, egg and lemon juice. It is a great salad. You can read about why it is called The Hungry Cat Salad on our blog post of: November 21, 2009. Click the date to get the recipe.

Creamy Pasta with Smoked Bacon and Peas
New York Times
 
This elegant riff on a childhood favorite came to The Times in 2009 by way of Jamie Oliver, the British chef and cookbook author. It was featured in his cookbook “Jamie’s Food Revolution: Rediscover How to Cook Simple, Delicious, Affordable Meals," and it's a favorite of his daughters, Poppy and Daisy. It's wholesome (no powdered cheese!), and it can be ready in about 15 minutes.
 
INGREDIENTS
Yield:4 to 6 servings
 
Sea salt
10     slices smoked bacon or pancetta
1       pound dried mini-shell or other small pasta
2       tablespoons olive oil
1       tablespoon butter
Freshly ground black pepper
2       cups frozen peas
2       tablespoons crème fraîche or heavy cream (we substituted Ricotta Cheese)
2       tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint leaves
Juice of 1 lemon
6       ounces finely grated Parmesan cheese
 
 
PREPARATION

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted to a boil. Meanwhile, cut sliced bacon crosswise into thin slivers, or slice pancetta into julienne. Add pasta to boiling water and cook to taste.

2. While pasta is cooking, place a large skillet over medium heat, and add 2 tablespoons olive oil and the butter. Add bacon or pancetta and a sprinkling of pepper, and fry until golden and crisp. Immediately add frozen peas and stir for a minute or two. Add crème fraîche or heavy cream and chopped mint.

3. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, and drain the pasta. Add pasta to the skillet and stir. Add lemon juice, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat. The mixture should be thick; if desired, a splash of the pasta water may be added to the sauce to thin it slightly. Add Parmesan and stir to mix. If desired, serve with a green salad.

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