Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta Recipe

This creamy bacon asparagus pasta is a family favorite that appears often on our weekly menu. The perfect easy pasta dish for busy nights.

My family is obsessed with this meal. You really can’t go wrong with any type of pasta dish in our house, and when you add a little bacon, it gives the perfect salty flavor. I also love the added color the fresh asparagus gives to your plate.

Make sure to read through the recipe from start to finish first. While I believe it is an easy pasta dish, there are several things happening at the same time. It is helpful to make sure to time things correctly so that the food is all hot and ready to eat at the same time. Enjoy!

How to Make Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta

The first thing I do to get this meal going is start cooking the bacon. I prefer to slow cook bacon in the oven. It is a more hands-free method to cook it so that I can focus on the rest of the meal. Do not preheat the oven. First, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil to catch all of the bacon grease. Makes clean up a lot easier! Then, lay your bacon out flat and pop it in the oven. (I can usually fit 8-9 pieces across a baking sheet vertically, and then 2 horizontal across the top.) Once the bacon is in the oven, turn the temperature to 400 degrees.

The cook time totally depends on the thickness of your bacon and how you like it cooked. I use thick cut bacon and cook it for 20-25 minutes typically because I like to have crispy bacon. When the bacon is done cooking, set it aside while you finish everything else, and dab it with paper towels to remove any excess bacon grease.

While the bacon cooks…

Now, fill both a large pot and a small pot with water and place them on a burner to bring to a boil. One is for the farfalle pasta and the other is for the fresh asparagus. While the water is heating up, you can start the creamy sauce. In a large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the garlic cloves and stir to mix for about 1 minute. Next, add the parmesan cheese and roasted chicken base. Stir well to mix. Immediately, pour in the heavy cream, salt, and black pepper. Continue to cook the parmesan sauce on medium, checking and stirring often until all of the parmesan is melted, and you have the perfect saucy consistency.

While the sauce is finishing, go ahead and add the uncooked pasta to the large pot of boiling water and cook until it is al dente. Drain the water. The final step is to prepare the fresh asparagus. Cut off the ends and slice into roughly 2 inch pieces. Add to the small pot of boiling water, cover with a lid, and cook for 4-5 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Now all of the ingredients are ready to put the meal together. Pour the pasta and asparagus into the parmesan sauce and stir well to mix. Serve the creamy pasta and asparagus onto plates or bowls and top with the thin strips of bacon or diced bacon.

Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta Ingredients:

• 1 lb fresh asparagus
• 8 slices bacon
• 1 box farfalle pasta (also known as bowtie pasta)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2/3 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons roasted chicken base
• 1 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta Instructions:

1. Cook bacon using your preferred method. Air fryer, oven, microwave, cast iron skillet, etc.
2. Fill a large pot and small pot with water and place them on a burner to bring to a boil.
3. In a large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 2 garlic cloves and stir to mix.
4. Next, add the parmesan cheese and roasted chicken base. Stir to mix.
5. Immediately, pour in the heavy cream, salt, and black pepper. 
6. Continue to cook the parmesan sauce on medium, checking and stirring often until all of the parmesan is melted and you have the perfect saucy consistency.
7. Now, add the uncooked pasta to the large pot of boiling water and cook until it is al dente. Drain the water.
8. Cut off the ends of the asparagus and slice into roughly 2 inch pieces. Add to the small pot of boiling water, cover with a lid, and cook for 4-5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
9. Finally, pour the pasta and asparagus into the parmesan sauce and stir well to mix.
10. Serve the creamy pasta and top it with the thin strips of bacon or diced bacon.

How to Store

Store the pasta and asparagus in a glass container for up to 3 days. The rest of the bacon (if there is any, lol) should be stored separately.

Recipe Variations

• If it is not asparagus season or you have family members who don’t like it, swap it out for broccoli, fresh green beans, or another preferred vegetable.
• Add mushrooms (my favorite are baby-bella mushrooms) or rotisserie chicken to make it more filling.
• Switch the type of pasta you use for your dish. Other varieties that work well are penne pasta and shells. Get in extra protein by using chickpea pasta.
• You do not have to take the time to cut up bacon. If I am in a hurry to finish plates, I just throw whole slices of bacon on the plates.
• Add fresh herbs over the top once you serve it.

More Simple Dinners:

• Cincinnati Chili
• Mexican Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet
• Deconstructed Burger Salad

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