This One-Pot Creamy Bacon Alfredo Pasta is a dinner that’s rich, creamy, and packed with flavor—without the hassle of a sink full of dishes! Tender pasta is coated in a velvety Alfredo sauce, infused with smoky bacon, and comes together in just one pot for the easiest cleanup ever. It’s the ultimate comfort food that delivers big flavor with minimal effort, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something delicious on the table fast.
Oriana’s Thoughts On The Recipe
Busy weeknights call for easy, no-fuss meals that don’t skimp on flavor, and this One-Pot Creamy Bacon Alfredo Pasta is just the answer! It’s rich, comforting, and packed with creamy goodness, with crispy bacon adding the perfect smoky bite. Everything cooks in just one pot, which means minimal cleanup—because who has time for a sink full of dishes after a long day? One pot, happy bellies, and a stress-free kitchen… sounds like a win to me!
What I Love About This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need, Substitutions & Notes
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
- Bacon
- Garlic: I use and recommend fresh garlic.
- Pasta: I used rigatoni pasta this time, but you can use any pasta you like. Please keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of pasta you use. Check out my My Favorite Egg-Free Pasta Brands: Safe Options for Allergy-Friendly Meals.
- Chicken broth
- Salt and ground black pepper
- Frozen peas: I think peas are just the perfect addition, but you can also use asparagus, mushrooms, corn, peppers, etc…
- Butter
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese: You can also use Asiago cheese or Pecorino Romano.
- Mascarpone cheese or cream cheese: This is totally optional but highly recommended. It makes the paste extra cheesy and creamy and helps thicken the sauce.
Food Allergy Swaps
- Dairy-Free: Instead of butter, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and mascarpone/cream cheese, use dairy-free alternatives:
- Butter: Substitute butter with dairy-free butter substitutes. Miyoko’s Creamery Organic Vegan Butter and Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks are my favorite butter substitutes for baking.
- Cream cheese, I like to use Violife Just Like Cream Cheese Original., unsweetened coconut cream or cashew cream, nutritional yeast (for cheese flavor), and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative.
- Heavy Cream: You can use a non-dairy cream, such as Silk, Country Crock Plant Cream, or Califia Farms.
- Parmesan: Cheese: Use your favorite Parmesan-style vegan cheese alternative.
- Gluten-Free: Instead of regular pasta, use gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or lentils.
- No soy or sesame ingredients are present in this recipe, but always check labels on store-bought items for hidden allergens.
How to Make One-Pot Creamy Alfredo Pasta with Bacon
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
- Cook the Bacon
In a large, deep skillet, cook the bacon until crisp over medium-high heat. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on a paper towel. Set aside. Leave the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Saute the Garlic
Add garlic to the same skillet over medium heat; sauté and stir for 30 seconds.
- Add and Cook the Pasta
Add uncooked pasta, broth, water, salt, and pepper, and mix to combine. Bring to boil; reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes or until pasta is al dente.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce
Stir in peas (if using) and butter; mix to combine. Once the butter has melted, add heavy cream, Parmesan, cream cheese (if using), and reserved cooked bacon. Mix until well combined. Cook until the sauce has thickened. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt and/or black pepper if necessary.
- Serve
Top with more grated parmesan or pecorino cheese and garnish with chopped basil or fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.
Variations You Can Apply to This Recipe
- Pasta: I used rigatoni pasta this time, but you can use any pasta you like. Please keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of pasta you use.
- Cheese: I love the combination of Parmesan and Mascarpone cheese, but you can use any Asiago, Pecorino Romano, or even Manchego. The addition of Mascarpone or cream cheese will make the dish ultra-creamy and also will help to thicken the sauce.
- Veggies: I think peas are just perfect, but you can also use asparagus, mushrooms, corn, peppers, etc…
- Meats: Substitute bacon for diced chicken, shrimp, or diced ham if you want to add more protein, or omit the meat all the way for a meatless version. I love adding bite-sized pieces of rotisserie chicken.
Storing and Reheat Instructions
Store pasta leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the stovetop or microwave with a splash of milk; just be sure to stir frequently to avoid sticking.
Alfredo Pasta Frequently Asked Questions
There are numerous ways to elevate the flavor and presentation of a classic Alfredo pasta dish. My favorites are adding fresh herbs like chopped parsley, basil, or chives for a burst of color and a fragrant aroma, adding chopped sun-dried tomatoes, which will provide a nice contrast to the richness of the Alfredo sauce, or nutty toppings like toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts to provide a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that complements the creamy sauce. Also, a touch of lemon zest can brighten up the flavors and cut through the richness of the Alfredo sauce.
If the sauce is too thin for your liking, you can create a slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water or milk until smooth. Stir the slurry into the Alfredo sauce and bring it to a simmer. The cornstarch will activate and thicken the sauce as the sauce heats up. Remember that cornstarch can make the sauce slightly glossy.
Fettuccine is the traditional and most commonly used pasta for Alfredo sauce. However, the choice of pasta comes down to personal preference. You can stick with tradition and use fettuccine or experiment with different shapes to see which one you enjoy the most.
Serving Alfredo pasta involves creating a balanced and enjoyable meal that showcases the creamy pasta while incorporating complementary flavors and textures. You can Include cooked or sautéed vegetables to add color and nutrition to the dish. Or a ight salad on the side to balance the richness of the Alfredo pasta. Serve a side of garlic bread, breadsticks, dinner rolls, or a crusty baguette. This can be used to scoop up the creamy sauce and create a satisfying combination.
More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
- Creamy Sausage Pasta Skillet (Easy & Quick)
- Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole
- Creamy Sausage Pasta Skillet (Easy & Quick)
- Super Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese (Easy)
- Eggless Ricotta Stuffed Shells
- Easy Eggless Cheese Manicotti
- More dinner recipes…
Recipe Card
One-Pot Bacon Alfredo Pasta (Creamy)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 16 oz (454 g) uncooked pasta (I used rigatoni)
- 3 cups (720 ml) chicken broth
- 2 cups (480 ml) water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups frozen peas (optional)
- 1/4 cup (58 g) butter (half stick)
- 3 cups (720 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (90 g) Parmesan cheese, grated (you can also use Asiago cheese or Pecorino Romano)
- 4 oz (115 g) Mascarpone cheese or cream cheese (optional) (see notes)
Important
You can find step-by-step photos above in the post and/or right here on the recipe card. They’ll walk you through the process and make everything super clear! Just click the camera icon button below on the right to show or hide them. Turn them off before printing if you prefer a cleaner copy!
Instructions
- In a large pan cook the bacon until crisp over medium heat. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on a paper towel. Set aside. Leave the bacon grease on the pan.
- Add garlic to the same pan; saute and stir for 30 seconds. Add uncooked pasta, broth, water, salt, and pepper, and mix to combine. Bring to boiling; reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes or until pasta is al dente.
- Stir in peas (if using) and butter; mix to combine. Once the butter has melted, add heavy cream, Parmesan, mascarpone or cream cheese (if using), and reserved cooked bacon. Mix until well combined. Cook for about 3 -5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt and/or black pepper, if necessary.
- Top with more grated cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
- Dairy-Free: Instead of butter, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and mascarpone/cream cheese, use dairy-free alternatives:
- Butter: Substitute butter with dairy-free butter substitutes. Miyoko’s Creamery Organic Vegan Butter and Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks are my favorite butter substitutes for baking.
- Cream cheese, I like to use Violife Just Like Cream Cheese Original., unsweetened coconut cream or cashew cream, nutritional yeast (for cheese flavor), and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative.
- Heavy Cream: You can use a non-dairy cream, such as Silk, Country Crock Plant Cream, or Califia Farms.
- Parmesan: Cheese: Use your favorite Parmesan-style vegan cheese alternative.
- Gluten-Free: Instead of regular pasta, use gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or lentils.
- No soy or sesame ingredients are present in this recipe, but always check labels on store-bought items for hidden allergens.
I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
This recipe was originally published in August 2015. I have tweaked the recipe to be more clear, easy to make, and more delicious in Febraury 2025. I also added more notes, tips, photos, and information to make it as helpful as possible!
I make this dish often when the comfort pasta need occurs! Very delicious!
Hello runn! This is a family fave =) I’m so glad you loved it too. Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback and review!
What is your “egg free” go to brand of pasta? We struggle to find pasta that isn’t made in a facility that processes egg products and find very few brands that work.
Hello M! I like DeCecco, Colavita, and Wegmans brands. I highly recommence checking labels all the time because ones in a while they’re in a shared facility. Hope that helps!
Yum, love easy recipes like this! and gorgeous pictures as always! xoxo