Pasta Papanera is a flavorful and satisfying Italian dish that blends creamy tomato sauce, rich cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta into one delicious meal. This comforting pasta dish is easy to prepare and packed with savory flavors, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special meal with family and friends. Whether you’re a fan of creamy tomato sauces or simply craving a hearty pasta dish, Pasta Papanera is sure to please.
The sauce is the star of this dish, with its creamy, velvety texture and vibrant tomato flavor. The combination of ripe tomatoes, heavy cream, and a touch of garlic creates a rich, comforting base that perfectly complements the pasta. The sauce is seasoned with classic Italian herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme, which infuse it with a depth of flavor that enhances every bite.
The pasta used in Pasta Papanera is typically a sturdy variety like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli, as these shapes are ideal for holding onto the rich sauce. As the pasta cooks, it soaks up the delicious sauce, making each bite a perfect balance of creamy and tangy flavors. The addition of grated cheese, such as Parmesan or mozzarella, gives the dish an extra layer of creaminess and savory goodness, adding both flavor and texture.
What makes Pasta Papanera stand out is its versatility. You can easily adjust the recipe to suit your taste by adding extra ingredients like sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or grilled chicken for more depth. If you prefer a spicier version, adding a pinch of red pepper flakes can give the dish a little heat. For a more decadent twist, try adding a splash of white wine or a drizzle of truffle oil to enhance the flavors.
Pasta Papanera is a great dish for a cozy dinner at home. It’s simple enough to prepare on a busy night but impressive enough to serve at a dinner party. The creamy tomato sauce pairs perfectly with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad, making it a complete and satisfying meal.
This recipe is made by Gary Frank Davis.

Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta I use spaghetti or linguine
- 3 eggs
- 6-8 slices bacon
- 1 bunch scallions
- 2 Bell peppers pick your colors
- 12 ounces crimini or button mushrooms
- ½ cup black olives sliced
- 4 cloves garlic
- 4 oz romano or parmesan cheese grated
- 4 Basil leaves fresh
Instructions
- Whisk eggs in a large bowl and add grated cheese until the mixture is grainy. Set aside.
- Start boiling water for pasta. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add the pasta.
- In a large skillet, start cooking bacon. When fully cooked, remove it from the skillet, cut it into small pieces, and set aside.
- Slice vegetables into half-inch pieces and cut peppers crosswise.
- After removing the bacon, add garlic cloves and scallions to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Then, add the peppers and herbs and sauté for another 3-4 minutes.
- Add mushrooms, olives, and the cooked bacon to the skillet, and sauté for 4-5 minutes.
- Drain the cooked pasta, reserving 2 tablespoons of the pasta water, and add the pasta to the egg mixture. Stir until the pasta is coated and the heat from the pasta cooks the egg. Fold in the reserved pasta water.
- Combine the contents of the skillet with the pasta mixture. Stir well and serve, garnished with chopped parsley.
I tried this, but my eggs scrambled instead of blending. 🙁 Maybe I did it wrong?
This looks complicated. Is it really worth the effort? I’m a bit skeptical.
Pretty good! But, I added some chicken for extra protein. Not bad, eh?
This dish is amazing! I never thought of mixing eggs with pasta. My kids loved it!
This sounds hard, I’m not much of a cook. Can anyone simplify it for me?
Don’t worry! You can just cook the pasta and mix everything together. That’s the easiest part!
SO good! But I used penne instead and added extra cheese. 😋
Extra cheese sounds amazing! I might have to try that next time! 😍
This was super easy and tasted amazing! My family loved it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s a family favorite for sure! 😊
I forgot the olives and it was still really good! Will try again with them next time.
Bacon and eggs in pasta? I can’t even. 🤔 I’m skeptical but might try it.
OMG, I’m trying this tonight! Looks delish, thanks for sharing!
You’re gonna love it! It’s really easy to make and tastes amazing. Enjoy!
I don’t know about cooking bacon first, can’t you just put everything in at once? Seems unnecessary.
I don’t eat bacon, so I swapped it for tofu and it still turned out nice!
Tofu, huh? That’s interesting! I guess it could work, but I don’t know if it compares to bacon. Guess I’ll have to try it your way! 🤔
Bacon and pasta? Wow! I like it even more than my mom’s recipe! Quick and yum!
This recipe sounds amazing! Bacon and pasta together is a match made in heaven. Can’t wait to try it!
Pasta good.
I made this for dinner, but my kids didn’t like the olives. Guess I’ll leave those out next time!
My kids also hate olives! I just leave them out too. Glad you enjoyed the recipe otherwise!
Olives are nasty! I don’t know why anyone puts them in food. But this pasta sounds good without them!
So confusing! The egg thing is throwing me off. Do i add more eggs?
Pasta with eggs? Sounds weird. Not sure if I wanna try.
Trust me, it’s delish! The eggs make it creamy and rich, you won’t regret it!
This recipe is a game changer! I loved how creamy it was. Will definitely be making this again.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! The creaminess really does make a difference. What kind of pasta did you use?
Did it right but it was kinda bland. Maybe add more cheese or spices next time.
Wow, who knew spaghetti could be like this? My kids almost finished it all! 😂
Looks good but how can spaghetti be that special? Its just pasta after all… 🤔
I tried this with my family too, and they loved it! I replaced bacon with turkey bacon tho. Still came out great! 🥳
This is the best pasta recipe I’ve ever tried! The flavors are perfect.
This was SO delicious! My family loved it! Will definitely make it again. 😊
MY HUSBAND EATS IT ALL IN 1 SITTING!!!
Really? I don’t know about the eggs in pasta, seems odd to me…
Wow, sounds delicious! I’ll have to try it. My kids love pasta too!
This pasta was amazing! So creamy and flavorful. Will definitely make it again! 😊
Pasta Papanera? More like Pasta YUM-nera! 😂 I added some extra spices and it was 🔥!
Too much bacon for my taste, maybe I’ll go with less next time.
This looks cool, but my kids dont eat mushrooms or olives. Any suggestions?
Idk, I think even without the mushroms and olives, it might taste OK, but I would just do plain pasta.
Maybe try some diced zucchini or spinach instead of mushrooms and olives? My kids love those! 😊
Yummyyy!!! Best pasta dish I’ve ever made! The flavor is outta this world! 🤤
Really? I tried this and it was ok, but not the best I’ve made. It’s too rich with the eggs, I think.
I’m glad you loved it! This recipe is a game changer for sure. I added some chili flakes for a kick and it was amazing! 🌶️
Pasta Papanera? Sounds fancee but I just want to eat… Good recipe tho!
Thanks! It really does sound fancy but looks super tasty. Can’t wait to try it!
I’m only giving it 2 stars because the instructions are not clear. What’s with the weird pasta water step?
Easy recipe! I’m not much of a cook but I nailed it! Thanks! 😊
I’m skeptical of cooking eggs by just adding hot pasta—sounds like you’ll end up with scrambled egg bits. Mine turned out okay though, but it was close.
This was a disaster. The eggs scrambled instead of coating the pasta. Not how I expected it to be. 😡
I’m sorry to hear that! It sounds like the eggs got too hot. Maybe try adding them off the heat next time?
Idk how that happened, but you might be doing it wrong. Just combine it better next time.
Looks good but not sure about putting olives in pasta. Just weird to me. What do you guys think?
I totally get that! Olives can be kinda a strong flavor, but they add a nice saltiness. Give it a try, you might like it!
Looks delish! But why do you gotta use so many eggs? Seems a bit much to me… 🤔
I think the eggs add creaminess! But yeah, 3 seems a lot at first glance. 😅
Maybe try just 2 eggs? That should still be good! I dunno if all that is worth it…
Yum! Bacon and pasta, what’s not to like? Easy to follow too!
Absolutely! I can’t resist bacon in any dish. This recipe looks fantastic!
But, wait. Are you sure the eggs get cooked enough with just the pasta heat? Sounds risky.
I made it but microwaved the pasta instead of boiling. Still came out okay.
This seems like a lot of steps for pasta… Can I just throw everything in one pot?
I understand it looks like a long process, but trust me, the flavor is worth it! You could try using one pot, but it might not come out the same. The bacon and veggies really need to be sautéed to bring out the best taste!
Dude, where’s the sauce? This looks dry, do we have to add something else?
I didn’t have bacon, so I used turkey. Still came out tasty! Who needs bacon anyway?
I followed the recipe but I think I cooked the eggs too long. They scrambled instead of being creamy. Not sure I’ll try again. ⭐⭐
Cooking eggs can be tricky! Maybe try lowering the heat next time? Don’t give up on this recipe, it’s delicious!
Delicious and easy! My family loved it!
Great combo of flavors, but my mushrooms were slimy. Make sure you get fresh ones!
Isn’t this just carbonara? Why complicate a classic? Seems unnecessary.
It was okay, but I think the bacon was too much. Maybe try turkey bacon next time?
Is it really pasta if there’s no cheese? I think this could use more cheese.
aboslutely loved it! I will make it again Jamie style
Too many steps for a simple dish, next time I’ll just order takeout. 🍕⭐
I get that it seems like a lot, but the flavors are sooo worth it! Maybe try it once? 😊
Who has time for all that? Just grab a pizza, it’s faster! 🍕
This recipe is amazing! Pasta turned out perfect, loved the bacon and garlic combo! 😍
I made this for my family and they loved it! The mushrooms are a great touch. Will make again!
Wait, do you really use the pasta water!? What does that do?
Spaghetti, linguine, what’s the big diff? It’s all pasta, right?! LOL
Yum! I added some extra spices and it was bomb! Thanks, Gary!
I was skeptical about the olives, but they surprisingly added a nice flavor! Nice balance of ingredients.
This recipe looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it! 😍
Thanks! It’s really good! Let me know how it turns out! 😊
I didn’t have crimini mushroms so I used canned ones, lol. Still turned out ok, but had a weird taste.
Yummy! But I used too much cheese. Must measure next time.
I think cheese is great! More cheese = more flavor, right? But I guess measuring is important too. 🤷♀️
Absolutely love this recipe! The bacon gives it a nice crunch. Will make it again for sure.
Yum! Smells amazing. Can’t wait to dig in. 😍
Sounds good but mushrooms yuck! Can I substitute with something else? 🤢
You could replace the mushrooms with zucchini or spinach! They work nice too.