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.
Uhm “Pasta Papanera” sounds fancy but it’s basically carbonara-ish. I mean that’s not bad! I’ll rate it 5 but only if I get to add parsley too (you said parsley garnish but none in ingredients).
Wait, so no parsley in ingredients but it says “garnished with chopped parsley” in step 8… that’s a little inconsistent. Still sounds tasty though. Next time just list the parsley so people don’t have to guess.
Honestly I’d call it more carbonara-adjacent than anything 😂 But yeah—parsley would be a great bright finish. I didn’t list it because it was meant as a garnish, but you should absolutely add it!
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 tastes like those fancy pasta nights but way easier. Also, scallions + bell peppers gave it a nice little sweetness. I added extra garlic because… why not 😅
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 🔥!
Easy recipe, ingredients are pretty standard. Only thing: 6-8 slices bacon is a lot—unless you like salty. I did 4 and it was still plenty.
Too much bacon for my taste, maybe I’ll go with less next time.
I followed it mostly, but my egg mixture got a little clumpy. I think I didn’t whisk enough or the pasta water wasn’t warm enough. Flavor was still good, just not as glossy as I hoped.
That makes sense—eggs can definitely clump if they’re not whisked smooth or if the pasta water/heat isn’t strong enough. Next time try whisking a bit longer and add the pasta water a splash at a time while stirring fast. Glad the flavor still came out good!
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! 😊
I made it once and didn’t love it—too many ingredients competing. Also, the instructions say “garnished with chopped parsley” but parsley isn’t in the ingredients list? I had to guess. Might be better with less garlic too.
Oof, I can see why that would throw you off. “Garnished with chopped parsley” but no parsley in the list is definitely sloppy—maybe they meant basil? Also I agree, 4 cloves garlic + everything else can be too much for some palates.
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.
Tried something like this before and the egg-cheese step is the make-or-break. If you keep the heat low enough, it comes out creamy instead of scrambled. Good instructions overall.
Yes! That low-heat/quick-fold approach is everything. I learned the hard way the first time too 😅
Not gonna lie, I’m skeptical about raw-ish egg getting “cooked” by pasta heat. I’m sure it works for some people but I like a more reliable method. Taste was decent though.
Totally get the skepticism. I used to worry too, but the pasta is hot enough to thicken the eggs a bit for me—still, I keep it moving and don’t let it sit.
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.
Made this last night and it was honestly comfort food perfection. The egg-cheese step makes it creamy without being heavy. I used linguine and it held up great with the bacon + mushroom combo.
This sounds exactly like comfort food I’d crave. I love that egg-cheese step—creamy without being heavy is my whole personality 😂
This sounds dangerously good. Bacon + mushrooms + olives?? My kind of dinner. I’m adding extra garlic though—4 cloves feels a little modest for me.
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.
The pasta water bit is clutch. Reserving only 2 tablespoons worked for me but I think it depends how thick your sauce ends up. I added a splash more and it came together nicely.
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.
Not bad, but I think it needs more seasoning. It felt kinda bland.
Followed the instructions exactly and it was a disaster! 😭 The eggs just scrambled instead of coating the pasta. Never again!
Pasta is pasta, right? This was okay. Nothing special.
I think 12 oz of pasta is too much? I didn’t have enough sauce for it. Maybe less next time.
I totally agree! I sometimes use 8 oz and it works fine. More sauce is better, right?
This looks complicated but I think I can do it. Just need to make sure I watch the pasta!
Why are you worried about the pasta? Just boil it like usual. It ain’t rocket science!
Cooking pasta can be tricky! Just keep an eye on it and you should be golden. Good luck!
I dunno. Thought it was too much bacon. Maybe use less next time? 🤷♂️
Mmm, yummy! The mix of flavors is just fab. My kids love it!
Bacon and pasta? Can’t go wrong! Only had sharp cheddar, but it was still great! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bacon doesn’t belong in pasta, I think that’s a weird combo. 😕 But if you liked it, good for you!
I love that you used sharp cheddar! It adds a fun twist. 🧀 I’ve never tried this combo before, but now I’m curious. 😋
Too many ingredients for a simple pasta dish. I prefer just spaghetti and sauce.
It was okay, but the bacon made it too salty for my taste.
Why basil leaves but no parsley in the ingredients? And 2 tbsp pasta water feels like not enough. Also, I’m not sure 12 oz pasta needs 3 eggs—might be too eggy.
Not bad, but I think it could use more flavor. Maybe add some spice next time?
Too many ingredients for me. Just use the pasta and bacon; who needs all this fancy stuff?
Too many ingredients, I prefer simple pasta. 😕
The instructions are a bit confusing—like it says reserve 2 tablespoons pasta water but doesn’t say when exactly to fold it besides Step 7, and Step 8 says garnish with parsley but parsley isnt listed. Still ate it anyway and it was good.
Followed the recipe but ended up with a mushy mess. Not impressed. 😕
Mushy? How? You just gotta watch the pasta! I made it and it was perfect. Perhaps try less time next time.
Sorry to hear that! Maybe the pasta was overcooked? It can get mushy real quick. 😬
Made it but didn’t have olives, didn’t notice a difference. Good. But might be better with cheese on top!
I’m glad it turned out good! Cheese would definitely add a nice touch 🌟. I can’t imagine not having olives though, they’re such a flavor booster!
No olives? That’s like making pizza without cheese! But hey, if you liked it, that’s what matters! Where’s the cheese then? 🤷♂️
Yum! Bacon makes everything better. Also added some cherry tomatoes for color. So good! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I totally agree! Bacon is such a game changer in any dish. Adding cherry tomatoes sounds like a great idea for freshness! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
I don’t know, can bacon really make everything better? Sounds kinda odd. But if you like it, more power to ya!
Yummm! I added some extra cheese on top. So good!
Not sure about raw egg mixing with pasta—seems risky. But I guess the hot pasta fixes it? I’d be nervous to try it exactly as written.
Totally get your worry—raw egg can be intimidating. But the key is timing: hot pasta + stirring pretty much continuously usually cooks it enough to set. Still, I’d definitely mix vigorously so it doesn’t scramble.
I’ve made stuff like this (similar idea) and it works, but only if the pasta is VERY hot. If it sits too long, you’ll end up with little egg bits. Add pasta immediately after draining.