30 Minute Creamy Parmesan Pasta
The ultimate comfort foods; bacon, pasta and cheese. What more could you want? This quick and easy 30 minute meal will please the entire family!
Ingredients
- 8 strips thick bacon, cut into chunks
- 1 tbsp salted butter
- 1 large shallot or 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 2 cups frozen sweet peas (or fresh when available)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lb dry pasta shells
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tsp salt plus more to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Extra grated Parmesan for topping
Directions
- 1
Boil pasta according to package directions being sure to heavily salt your pasta water.
- 2
While the pasta is cooking, add the bacon to a skillet over medium/high heat. Saute until the fat is rendered and the bacon is slightly crunchy.
- 3
Remove the bacon from the pan to a paper towel lined plate to drain the excess oil.
- 4
Discard all but about 1 tbsp of the bacon grease.
- 5
Add your butter to the bacon grease and turn the stove to medium heat.
- 6
Add your shallots and heat them for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 7
Add frozen peas to the shallots and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- 8
When your pasta is just about done, take 1/4 cup of the pasta water and add it to the pea mixture. Stir and let cook for 2 minutes while you drain the pasta.
- 9
Drain the remaining pasta and set aside.
- 10
Add the heavy cream to the pea mixture and heat until nice and bubbly.
- 11
Add the Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to the mixture and stir until the cheese is melted.
- 12
In a small bowl whisk together lemon juice and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
- 13
Stir the lemon and sugar mixture into the sauce.
- 14
Add the pasta and the bacon to the sauce and stir until everything is nice and coated in the sauce about 2-3 minutes. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
- 15
Serve hot with additional Parmesan cheese.