Bushra Griffith
Bacon and cheese pasta is a delicious, comforting, and quick meal that can be whipped up in 20 minutes. It's a great option for bacon lovers and those who want something other than red sauce on their pasta. The dish is also very versatile, as you can use any type of pasta, from spaghetti to penne, and you can add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or tomatoes for extra nutrition and flavor. The sauce is typically made with butter, flour, milk, and cheese, creating a rich and creamy texture that perfectly complements the salty bacon. For those who want to add a little extra something, a fried egg on top adds more protein, while a splash of cream makes the sauce even richer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of meal | Weeknight dinner |
| Time to cook | 20 minutes |
| Number of ingredients | 7 |
| Type of pasta | Any type of short cut pasta, long pasta, or spaghetti |
| Type of cheese | Parmesan, Gruyère, fontina, Monterey Jack, pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, cream cheese, or a mix |
| Type of bacon | Bacon end strips, regular bacon, or bacon lardons |
| Additional ingredients | Butter, olive oil, garlic, onion, thyme, flour, milk, spinach, tomatoes, pepper, salt, pasta water |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right pasta
Type of Pasta
The type of pasta you choose will depend on the texture and overall dining experience you desire. Long pasta varieties such as spaghetti, bucatini, or linguine are excellent choices for a creamy cheese sauce. Their shape and length provide a satisfying bite and allow the sauce to cling beautifully. On the other hand, if you're opting for a bake, short pasta varieties like penne, macaroni, or bow ties are ideal. They provide a heartier texture and hold up well during the baking process, ensuring each bite is packed with flavour.
Gluten-Free Options
If you or your guests have gluten intolerance or are simply looking for a gluten-free option, there are plenty of alternatives. Gluten-free spaghetti is readily available and can be used in any recipe that calls for regular spaghetti. Additionally, you can explore other gluten-free pasta options made from alternative ingredients like rice, quinoa, or legumes. These varieties come in various shapes and sizes, ensuring you can still enjoy a tasty bacon and cheese pasta dish.
Fresh vs. Dried Pasta
Both fresh and dried pasta have their advantages. Fresh pasta, often found in the refrigerated section, can offer a more delicate texture and flavour. It's an excellent choice if you're seeking a more indulgent experience. Dried pasta, on the other hand, is convenient and versatile. It's readily available, stores well, and provides a more substantial texture that holds up during cooking. It's perfect for a quick weeknight meal and can be dressed up with your favourite sauce and toppings.
Cooking Time
When choosing your pasta, consider the cooking time. Some pasta varieties take longer to cook than others. For example, fresh pasta often has a shorter cooking time compared to dried pasta. Additionally, the desired texture plays a role in cooking time. For a firmer bite, al dente pasta is achieved by cooking for a slightly shorter duration than indicated on the package instructions. This ensures the pasta retains a slight chewiness that pairs well with creamy sauces and hearty toppings.
Customisation
Lastly, consider the customisation options offered by different pasta varieties. For example, adding vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or tomatoes to your pasta dish is easily achievable with most pasta shapes. However, certain pasta varieties may lend themselves better to specific sauces or ingredients. For instance, pasta bakes often utilise shorter pasta shapes that hold up well during baking, providing a cohesive and tasty dish.
Remember, the right pasta choice will enhance your cheese and bacon creation, ensuring a delightful dining experience.
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Preparing the sauce
First, fry the bacon until it's super crispy. You can add some butter or olive oil to the pan, and you can also add onion and garlic for extra flavour. Then, remove the bacon from the pan and set it aside, leaving the bacon grease in the pan.
Next, make a roux by melting butter in the pan and whisking in flour to create a paste. You can also add milk gradually, whisking vigorously to incorporate it into the paste. Continue whisking and simmering until the mixture thickens.
Now it's time to add the cheese. It's best to add the cheese in several batches, whisking between each addition to ensure it melts smoothly. Keep the heat low while adding the cheese, and add a splash of milk if the sauce becomes too thick.
Finally, add the cooked pasta directly into the sauce. You can also add some of the starchy pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta. Stir everything together and let it simmer gently for a minute or two.
For an extra creamy sauce, you can also add some cream or cream cheese. Simply stir in the desired amount of cream or cream cheese until it melts into the sauce.
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Cooking the bacon
To cook the bacon for your pasta, start by frying it in a large skillet or frypan over medium to medium-high heat. You can add a tablespoon of butter or olive oil to the pan, and you can also add other ingredients such as onions and garlic to cook alongside the bacon. Fry the bacon until it is browned and crispy, which should take around 3 to 10 minutes depending on your recipe. If you are making a pasta bake, you can add the garlic and other ingredients to the pan and stir them together before pouring in the remaining ingredients.
If you are making a pasta sauce with cheese, you will need to chop the bacon after frying it. You can either chop it finely or go for a mixture of crumbs and bigger pieces. Then, melt some butter in a medium or large saucepan over medium to medium-high heat. Add flour and whisk it into a paste, cooking for about a minute. Turn the heat down to medium or medium-low and gradually add milk, whisking continuously to incorporate it into the paste. Make sure you are getting all of the paste from the bottom and sides of the pan.
At this point, you can add a bit more milk if the sauce seems too thick. Continue to cook and whisk the mixture until it starts to simmer, then turn the heat down to low. Now you can add the cheese. It is best to add the cheese in two or three separate lots, whisking in between each lot and making sure it has melted before adding more. You can also add a splash of milk at this stage if the sauce is too thick.
Finally, add the cooked chopped bacon to the sauce. You can also add black pepper to taste. Now your bacon and cheese sauce is ready to be combined with your cooked pasta.
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Adding cheese
The type of cheese you add to your pasta with bacon depends on the type of sauce you want to make. For a creamy sauce, cream cheese is a good option. You can also use a combination of butter, flour, and milk to make a classic roux sauce, adding in cheese at the end. For a simple pasta bake, you can just sprinkle grated cheese on top before baking.
If you want to make a cream cheese sauce, melt butter in a large, deep pan and fry the bacon for 3-4 minutes over medium heat until slightly crispy. Add some garlic and cook for another minute, stirring often. Then, add half a cup of pasta water to the pan, followed by your cream cheese. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely. You can then add another cup of pasta water and let the sauce bubble for a minute.
For a classic roux sauce, melt butter in a medium or large saucepan on medium-high heat, then add flour and whisk into a paste. Turn down the heat and gradually add milk, whisking to incorporate. Once the sauce coats the back of a wooden spoon, add the cheese in a few separate lots. Keep the heat low when adding the cheese, and add a splash of milk if the sauce becomes too thick.
If you are making a pasta bake, cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, then combine with your sauce and pour into a baking dish. Sprinkle grated cheese on top and bake for around 20 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
For a simple cheese sauce, you can just add shredded cheese to water and stir until melted. You can then add cooked pasta and use tongs to coat the pasta in the sauce.
Parmesan is a popular choice of cheese for pasta with bacon, but you can also use Gruyère, fontina, Monterey Jack, Grana Padano, pecorino, or cream cheese.
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Serving suggestions
This bacon and cheese pasta is a hearty dish, perfect for a weeknight dinner. It can be served as it is, or with a simple side salad.
For a vegetarian option, you can leave out the bacon or replace it with cooked sliced sausage or mushrooms. You can also add vegetables to the dish, such as spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, or grape tomatoes. If you want more protein, top each portion with a fried egg.
For a richer, more indulgent pasta, you can add 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream to the sauce before adding the cheese. You can also experiment with different types of cheese. While Parmesan is a popular choice, you can also try Gruyère, fontina, Monterey Jack, Grana Padano, or pecorino.
For a baked version, try a pasta bake with penne pasta, bacon, garlic, crushed tomatoes, cream, baby spinach, and cheese. Simply combine the sauce with the cooked pasta, pour it into a baking dish, top with grated cheese, and bake until golden and bubbling.
This dish is best served fresh, as it doesn't taste as good the next day.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use any type of pasta for this recipe, although long pasta such as spaghetti, bucatini, or linguine is often recommended. If you are making a pasta bake, opt for short pasta such as penne, spirals, or macaroni.
Cheeses that melt well, such as Gruyère, fontina, Monterey Jack, or a mix of these, are recommended. Parmesan is also a popular choice for this dish, although it is a hard cheese. For a creamier sauce, you can use cream cheese.
You can use regular bacon or bacon end strips, which are the pieces cut off the end of slab bacon.
This depends on the number of people you are serving. As a guide, a typical box of pasta (1 pound or 500 grams) serves four to six people.
Yes, you can add vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, or tomatoes, or extra protein such as fried egg or sausage.
