Bacon Pasta (One Pot)
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Quick and easy bacon pasta recipe, made with simple ingredients in 1 pot and just 30 minutes on stovetop.
If you are a bacon lover, this bacon pasta will become an instant hit with you! Plus, there are so many flavor variations for this easy weeknight meal. One recipe that is similar to this one but with a little different flavor is Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (One Pot). You should definitely try it, too.
Now that Summer holidays are in full force this kind of meal is exactly what I need. It is quick, easy, simple, and requires little prep time and very little mess. In that way it is like this Best Summer Salad (One Bowl) that I often like to make alongside this pasta. By making these easier recipes, you and I can spend more cherished time with family and friends.
Table of contents
Key ingredients
- Spaghetti– This recipe is for a full 16 oz. box.
- Bacon– Cooked and roughly chopped.
- Oil- Used for sauteing.
- Garlic- Fresh minced is best.
- Salt and pepper- For seasoning.
Variations
- Creamy version- Make this pasta super creamy by mixing in 1/2 cup cream cheese at the very end. That makes it similar to bacon pasta carbonara.
- Add cheese– Add your favorite cheeses in this recipe, such as mozzarella, parmesan, or cream cheese. That reminds me, try this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with some bacon bits thrown in. It’s bound to be a family favorite.
- Use spinach- Add some frozen or fresh spinach, along with cream cheese in this recipe. It will be similar to my Creamy Spinach Pasta (One Pot).
- Use chicken– Stir fry some boneless chicken, along with the bacon and mix that with the cooked spaghetti.
- Mushroom version– Stir fry some mushrooms and mix them with the cooked pasta, too. These Easy Garlic Mushrooms (One Pot) would be a good option, and if you enjoy this version, try this Creamy Mushroom Pasta (One Pot), as well.
- Bake it– Once this meal is ready, mix in cream cheese. Spread everything in a baking dish. Top it off with mozzarella and parmesan cheese and bake until cheese is bubbly and fully melted.
- Alfredo– Make Alfredo sauce like the one from this One Pot Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe and mix in cooked bacon. Serve that over cooked spaghetti.
- Add peas– Mix in some boiled peas in this pasta.
- Add broccoli– Be sure it is chopped and cooked before adding. Using a bag of frozen broccoli is easiest.
- Make a tomato sauce– Use your favorite tomato pasta sauce, such as Homemade Marinara Sauce (One Pot) or even Homemade Pizza Sauce (One Pot), and mix it in with the cooked bacon. Serve that over cooked spaghetti.
- Try a different pasta- Such as fettuccine, bow tie, penne, shells, or rigatoni.
- Gluten free version- Use gluten free noodles or cut down the carbs and get healthy using Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash or Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles) as pasta alternatives.
- Low-fat option- You can use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon to cut the fat.
How to make one pot bacon pasta recipe?
- Boil spaghetti– Then drain water and keep aside.
- Add oil– And cook bacon.
- When almost cooked– Add garlic and saute until golden brown and bacon is fully cooked.
- Add boiled spaghetti– Along with salt and pepper.
- Mix everything together- Serve and enjoy.
What to serve with bacon pasta?
- Bread- Such as garlic bread, dinner rolls, or breadsticks.
- Salad– Like this Easy Green Salad (One Bowl), Cucumber Tomato Salad (One Bowl), or Cherry Tomato Salad (One Bowl) that will help use up all those summer tomatoes in your garden.
- Protein- Making a meat to go on the side can round out the meal and add more protein. This Instant Pot Whole Chicken (Rotisserie Chicken) would be great alongside this recipe.
Tips and techniques
- Optional ingredients- You can use lemon juice and/or red chili flakes to add flavor to this pasta, if desired. Otherwise, just omit them altogether.
- Don’t overcook your pasta- Or else it will become mushy and the texture is gross. On the other hand, be sure that you cook it long enough so that it is no longer hard or really crunchy.
- Use salt in the water when boiling spaghetti- Because this helps it not stick to each other as easily and adds flavor.
- Be sure to use a nonstick pot- In order to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom of the pan, leaving a residue. It also helps to stir the noodles occasionally.
- Remove from heat- When finished so that it doesn’t burn or continue to cook the noodles to mush.
- Adjust ingredients- According to your personal preference to make it yours.
- Use precooked bacon bits- To make this dish even faster and easier.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. However, just keep in mind that you will need to use a bit more oil when cooking it since turkey bacon has less fat than regular bacon.
Follow the instructions on the back of the box you purchased. Most likely it is about 8-10 minutes. You can always take a noodle out of the water to taste it and see if the texture is right for you. It is based on you like.
This is when you cook pasta until it is cooked, but still a little crunchy in the center. Some prefer this texture. Also, it allows for the flavor of the sauce, when added later, to permeate the noodles and add more flavor.
Storage
- Make ahead- This recipe can be made up to 2 days beforehand if kept in a sealed container in the fridge. You can also make it and place in a sealed container in the freezer for up to one month before serving. Then thaw and reheat per instructions below.
- Refrigerate– Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freezer– Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw and reheat to serve.
- Reheat– Place in a microwave-safe bowl and heat through in the microwave or place in a pot and warm up to desired temperature over the stovetop.
Other Easy Pasta Recipes:
- Garlic Chicken Pasta (One Pot)
- Best Spaghetti and Meatballs (One Pot)
- Instant Pot Sausage Pasta
- One Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Tomato Basil Pasta (One Pot)
Easy Bacon Pasta
Ingredients
Instructions
- Boil spaghetti in salted water, as per package instructions. Keep aside.
- In the same nonstick pot, add 1 tsp oil and heat over medium heat. Cook bacon until almost cooked.
- Add 2 tsp oil, garlic, red chili flakes and cook for a few minutes until garlic becomes golden brown and bacon is nice and crispy.
- Add boiled spaghetti, lemon juice salt and pepper and mix everything together. Enjoy!
Notes
- Read all my tips above.
- If you are using turkey bacon, you will have to use a little more oil because turkey bacon has less fat than regular bacon.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.Â
Loved the dish but it was to spicy next time i will leave out the pepper flakes
Wow. Fast, easy, I added boursin cheese and this was a great side to grilled shrimp. Any recipe that calls for a whole lotta garlic catches my eye!!
Awesome!
I add Parmesan cheese instead of pepper flakes. I add salt and pepper. That’s the best.Â