Bacon and Parmesan Penne is a rich, comforting pasta dish that brings together smoky, savory flavors with a creamy, cheesy finish. Tender penne pasta is coated in a luscious sauce, perfectly complemented by crispy bacon and freshly grated Parmesan. It’s the kind of meal that feels indulgent yet simple, making it ideal for both weeknight dinners and special occasions when you want something satisfying and flavorful.
The star of this dish is the balance between textures and flavors. The penne holds the sauce beautifully, allowing each bite to be packed with creamy richness. Crispy bacon adds a salty crunch and deep, smoky flavor that contrasts perfectly with the smooth sauce. Parmesan cheese enhances everything with its sharp, nutty notes, creating a well-rounded and irresistible taste profile. A hint of garlic or black pepper can further elevate the dish, adding warmth and depth.
One of the reasons Bacon and Parmesan Penne is so popular is its versatility. It can be made as a quick stovetop meal or baked for a more golden, slightly crispy finish on top. You can also customize it by adding ingredients like peas, spinach, or mushrooms for extra texture and nutrition. Whether kept simple or dressed up, it remains a crowd-pleaser that delivers comfort in every bite.
This dish is perfect for those moments when you crave something hearty and indulgent. The combination of creamy sauce, crispy bacon, and perfectly cooked pasta creates a satisfying experience that feels both cozy and elevated. It pairs beautifully with a fresh salad or a slice of crusty bread, making it a complete and enjoyable meal.
Bacon and Parmesan Penne proves that simple ingredients, when combined thoughtfully, can create a dish full of depth, flavor, and comfort that everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta uncooked
- 6 oz bacon chopped
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- to taste salt
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped
Instructions
- Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels.
- In the same skillet, add olive oil and garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add heavy cream to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Return bacon to the skillet and add cooked pasta. Toss everything together to coat with the sauce.
- Season with black pepper and salt to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Nutrition
I ain’t no chef but this was easy to make. Will make again!
This was so yummy! The creaminess is just perfect. My kids loved it!
Amazing dish! Followed the recipe exactly and it was a hit at dinner!
This seems like a lot of calories! Can I use less cream and still be good?
You can definitely use less cream! It might change the texture a bit but it should still taste good. Just add more cheese if you want it creamier!
Is there a substitute for Parmesan? I can’t find any and my recipe looks dumb.
I heard that you can use mozzarella instead, but it won’t taste the same..
You could try using nutritional yeast. It has a cheesy flavor and should work fine!
I found it too rich. Maybe less cream next time?
Just okay. I don’t get the hype around bacon.
Bacon makes everything better! I added some mushrooms, too.
Totally agree! Bacon is life. Can’t wait to try it with mushrooms too! 🍄
Mushrooms? Really? Not sure they go with bacon. Sounds kinda weird to me.
Yum!!! 😍
This looks so good! Can’t wait to try it! 😋
I’m skeptical of cream sauces sometimes, but this one actually worked. I did add a splash of pasta water to loosen it, and wow—restaurant vibes.
I’m skeptical about how “smooth” the Parmesan will get with heavy cream. Mine clumped a little and I had to keep stirring. End result was okay, not amazing.
Not gonna lie, it tastes kinda heavy/greasy. Maybe my bacon was too fatty. The flavor is good, but I wish the sauce was a bit lighter.
Made it exactly as written and it was solid. I’d maybe add a little extra garlic and pinch of red pepper flakes next time for some heat, but otherwise perfect comfort food.
This was amazing! The flavors are perfect together. Will make again!
Made this tonight and it was rich in a really good way. The Parmesan cream sauce came together fast and the bacon added the perfect salty punch. I didn’t even need more seasoning—freshly ground pepper was key.
Love hearing this! The bacon + Parmesan cream combo really does hit that “rich but not heavy” sweet spot. Freshly ground pepper is definitely the move.
I followed the steps exactly and it turned out kinda greasy. Maybe my bacon wasn’t drained enough, or I cooked it too fast. The flavor was still there, just not the texture I wanted.
I’m surprised how fast it was. Garlic + cream + cheese = win. Only issue: mine felt a tiny bit too salty even with “to taste” salt, so I’d go lighter next time.
Is parmesan the same as cheddar? I’m kinda confused but the pics look nice.
I don’t have Parmesan, can I use mozzarella? Also I add pepper like its my job lol.
Super easy to make. Even my kids helped out. Thanks!
I followed the steps exactly and my Parmesan sauce seized up 😭. Maybe the cream was too hot or I wasn’t patient. Still ate it, just not the texture I expected.
Ugh I’m sorry—Parmesan can totally seize if the cream/cheese temp isn’t right. Next time try keeping the heat on low once you add the cream, and add the Parmesan gradually while stirring a lot. Also make sure you’re using finely grated/parmesan that’s not clumpy.
I followed it exactly and got a creamy sauce that clung to the penne nicely. Bacon was perfectly crispy. Would make again for sure.
Yes! That’s exactly the texture I was hoping for—creamy but not runny, and the bacon staying crisp. I love when the sauce actually clings to the pasta like that.
This is my kind of meal. Quick, filling, and everyone at the table went back for seconds. The parsley garnish is a nice touch too.
Yes!! Quick and creamy pasta is the best kind. Also love that crunchy bacon in it—adds so much flavor.
What kind of garlic? Fresh? Powder? I added some spicy cheese too!
Isn’t garlic just garlic? 🤷♂️ I don’t think it matters, but spicy cheese? Now that’s interesting. Not sure if I’d like it tho.
I used fresh garlic! It really makes a difference in flavor. Adding spicy cheese sounds amazing! 🔥
The instructions say simmer the cream and stir in Parmesan until smooth—okay but Parmesan melts easier if you lower the heat. I almost scorched mine on med-high, so just be careful.
Pasta and bacon, what a combo! 👌
Made this last night—so rich and comforting. The cream + Parmesan combo is spot on, and the bacon adds the perfect salty punch. I used a little extra pepper and it was amazing.
I tried it, but mine was a bit too thick (like paste 😅). Next time I’m gonna add a splash of pasta water—I think that’ll loosen the sauce. Bacon flavor is still great though.
Totally agree—this combo is dangerously good. I also end up adding extra pepper every time. The cream + Parmesan really makes it feel restaurant-level.
I don’t know about this recipe. Seems too creamy for pasta, right?
Sounds tasty, but I’m skeptical about only 1 cup Parmesan for 1 cup cream—mine needed a bit more cheese to thicken. Still ended up delicious though. Next time I’ll reserve a little pasta water too.
Good call on the pasta water—starchy water really helps the sauce cling. I’ve also found Parmesan thickness can vary a lot by brand/aging, so adding a little more cheese is totally reasonable.
Pretty good, but mine got a bit too thick after simmering. Next time I’d add a splash of pasta water. Still, the flavors are definitely there.
It was good but I think it needed more salt. My family liked it though!
Um… I used thick-cut bacon and it took longer to crisp. Once I adjusted time it came out fine. Also I didn’t have fresh garlic so I used jar—still decent.
Okay but why do people always add heavy cream like it’s free? 😂 It’s good, just super heavy. I used turkey bacon and it was still fine. Would serve smaller portions.
I don’t add heavy cream. I do milk and like… more parm? It still comes out thick. Also penne takes longer than the box says sometimes, so watch it. 🤷♂️
Heavy cream definitely makes it rich—like “why not, right?” 😅 But yeah, smaller portions are the move. Turkey bacon is a solid substitution too!
Just ate this, and wow! So much bacon! Can’t go wrong with that.
Made this tonight and it was such a comfort-food win. The cream + Parmesan gets super silky, and the bacon adds that salty punch. I used extra black pepper too—perfect.
Eh. I like penne but this was pretty basic. Tasted like creamy bacon pasta, but nothing blew my mind. Also I forgot parsley so maybe that’s on me.
Pretty easy and super comfort food. My kids ate it all, so yeah I’m impressed.
Bacon pasta!!!
I’m skeptical about “stir in Parmesan until smooth” with heavy cream, but it actually worked. Took longer than the instructions though—still came out creamy.
Not bad, but it felt a bit rich for my taste. Next time I’ll use half-and-half or cut back the cream. Also parsley is mandatory, it brightens it.