This bacon tomato pasta recipe uses a handful of everyday ingredients and is super quick and simple to make! The creamy garlic sauce is decadent and delicious.
Bacon and fresh tomatoes in a cream sauce are such a good combo. I was inspired by my Shrimp and Bacon Pasta, but I wanted something even simpler (and without the shrimp, obviously). The tomatoes lighten the dish up a bit as they soften and release their juices into the cream sauce.
Aside from the taste of this recipe (I polished off a good half of it all by myself), the best part for me is how straightforward this dish is. This is one of those recipes where after a long day/week/year it's nice to just come home and throw it all together. I feel this will be my new go-to when I am craving a creamy pasta dish!
Recipe notes & tips:
- I don't recommend subbing the heavy cream for anything like half-and-half or milk because the acidity of the sauce and high heat it's cooked over could curdle it pretty easily. With that said, you're welcome to experiment. You may need to add an additional thickener like flour or cornstarch to get the results you want.
- I used bucatini pasta for this recipe (see photos), and where has it been all my life?! It's not a shape I normally buy, but since I love spaghetti so much, I am surprised I haven't been buying it. Anyway, use spaghetti or whatever shape you've got on hand. I like long noodles for this particular dish, though.
- Add some red pepper flakes if you want a little heat.
- You could try making this with grape/cherry tomatoes... I would use a handful of them and cook them until they burst.
What to serve with creamy bacon tomato pasta:
Try a side salad (use my Caesar dressing to make the best Caesar salad) or some garlic bread.
Other bacon & pasta recipes to try:
I hope you'll love this tomato and bacon pasta recipe! Questions? Leave me a comment below. Be sure to tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram if you make one of my recipes.
Creamy Bacon Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta (I used bucatini)
- 6 strips bacon cut into small pieces
- 1-2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium tomato cut into small pieces
- 3/4 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1 dash Italian seasoning
- Pepper to taste
- Garnish: freshly grated parmesan cheese to taste
Instructions
- Boil a salted pot of water for your pasta.
- Meanwhile, cut the bacon into small pieces (I like using kitchen shears for this) and add it to a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the bacon until crispy (about 7-10 minutes).
- Spoon out excess fat (leave about 1 tablespoon in there).
- Add the garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the tomato, cream, and Italian seasoning. Let it bubble for 5 minutes or so until the sauce has reduced to your liking (turn the heat down if it starts to furiously boil). It's not a super thick sauce, but it should be thick enough that it coats the back of a spoon.
- Drain the pasta, add it to the skillet, and toss with the sauce (add a bit of the hot pasta water prior to draining it if the sauce gets too thick for your liking). You can either add the parmesan at this step and toss the whole thing or grate some over top of each bowl. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Serves 2-4. If you've got 4 super hungry people and aren't serving it with anything else, I recommend doubling the recipe.
- The bacon is pretty salty, so you may not need to add extra salt to this recipe.
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Christine McLean says
I found this to be a very versatile recipe! Just made it, but I didn't have heavy cream and substituted greek yogurt. Tastes amazing. I eyeballed the amounts mostly, added extra garlic and maybe a Tablespoon of Italian seasoning. Fresh bacon bits were on hand, so I had even less cooking prep to do. Topped with fresh parsley, grated parmigiano and served with a salad. Delicious!
Natasha says
I'm so glad you were able to tweak it based on what you had on hand! Happy you found it simple and delicious, Christine! 🙂
Sarah says
Hi I’m trying this tonight and can’t wait after reading all the reviews - I’m just thinking I may make double so if any leftovers, can they be frozen ?
Natasha says
Hmmm... I'm not sure that this is the best recipe to freeze, unfortunately. Cream sauces are notoriously bad for reheating, and I'm not sure how the fresh tomato would work either. I mean, you could give it a try and see how it goes for you. It's possible that you'll be totally happy with the results. I'd reheat on a low heat to hopefully help with the sauce separating.
Sarah says
Hi do you use smoked or unsmoked bacon?
Natasha says
Smoked. I'm not sure I've ever had unsmoked bacon.
T. Allen Morgan says
I made this exactly as written and it was super easy and absolutely delicious, even without the cheese! Really appreciate having a great, super quick pasta recipe that uses pantry staples! Thank you!
Natasha says
Fantastic!! 🙂
Michele fisher says
Delicious!! Added more italian seasoing
Natasha says
Thank you!!!! 🙂
V says
This was really good and super simple to make. I liked the no fuss simplicity to this because I find recipes that I’m really excited about but when I get lazy I just end up ordering take out ( which isn’t a bad thing if it’s in moderation but if you do it more frequently like me that’s a different story) I added some chopped sun dried tomatoes just to kick it up a notch and it was so good! I didn’t have bucatini so I just used spaghetti and it turned out great.
Natasha says
Haha yes... takeout is definitely best in moderation but so tempting! I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
Ike says
I missed the when-to-add-the-bacon instruction. Guess it's meat to be after tossing and prior to parmesan 😉
Natasha says
Hi! For this recipe, the bacon stays in the pan for the entire time. No need to take it out of the pan and add it back in if that's what you're wondering. 🙂
Becca says
I made this for my family of 7 and everyone was wowed! I added sliced mushrooms and used Penne pasta (it's what I had on hand. One of my kids said "it feels like we are eating at a fancy restaurant!" I thought that was high praise. Thank you for helping make a great family meal enjoyed by all!
Natasha says
Awww your comment makes me so happy! 🙂
Chrissy says
I loved this recipe and so did my family! I threw in some spinach and it was great. I am so happy I found your blog. The recipes are so simple but also diverse and delicious. Thank you!
Natasha says
Awesome!! Thanks so much for commenting! I'm happy you found me! 😀
Can says
Hi again! 😉
This looks like a dish that'll be a hit and I can adjust the sauce amount to make more from the excess bacon grease!
All easily accessible ingredients and simple to make as a side or as the main by adding a few more vegetables I have on hand.
It also looks like it this will go great with the honey salmon recipe you have posted.
You've inspired me to cook again after not doing so since my chef-husband passed away recently. Thank You so much
Natasha says
Hi! Yes... you can definitely play around with this one. 🙂 I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's passing. I'm glad that I've inspired you to cook... your comment means a lot to me.
Vicki says
This was FANTASTIC!!! I made it for supper last night and the young people gave it a two thumbs up, which means I can make it again! We never had bucatini pasta but I’m so glad I found it because it was just perfect! Easy to make, elegant and flavorful!
Natasha says
I am so glad you all enjoyed it, Vicki!! 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to write me a review.
Joanna Colton says
Every recipe I've tried from Salt & Lavender has been a win and this is no exception. Perfect, easy and quick comfort dish for a Friday evening. I only had a few fresh grape tomatoes so I cut those up and also added a can of diced petite tomatoes. We were fighting over who got to eat the leftovers Saturday afternoon, and it was just as good day 2!
Natasha says
I'm so happy that it was a hit and you were able to adapt it! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, Joanna! 🙂
Frank Calderon says
I'm trying t soon.
Natasha says
Enjoy! Let me know how it goes.