This One-Pan Creamy Bacon Pasta is loaded with crispy bacon, juicy Roma tomatoes, garlic, mozzarella, and a rich creamy tomato sauce. It’s comforting, easy to make, and packed with flavor in every bite.
This was also a huge hit with my boys. All four of them loved it—even my 2-year-old twins! If you have little kids, you know that getting everyone at the table to happily eat the same dinner is a win. This is definitely one of those easy family dinners I’ll be making again.
The best part is the sauce. Fresh tomatoes are cooked directly in the pan with bacon, onion, and garlic, then mashed down and combined with tomato sauce, heavy cream, mozzarella, and a little pasta water. The penne finishes cooking right in the sauce, soaking up all that flavor.
If you’re looking for an easy creamy bacon pasta recipe for dinner, this is one you’ll want to save.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Bacon Pasta
This pasta is rich and creamy without being complicated. Fresh Roma tomatoes give the sauce a homemade flavor, while bacon adds a smoky, salty bite.
Finishing the pasta directly in the sauce is important. The penne absorbs some of the sauce while releasing additional starch, helping everything come together into a creamy, restaurant-style pasta.
It’s also easy to adjust the consistency. Pasta water can loosen the sauce and make it stretch further, while a little extra cheese can help thicken it if needed.
The Secret to the Perfect Creamy Pasta Sauce
Don't throw away your pasta water.
The starchy water is one of the easiest ways to control the consistency of this sauce.
If the sauce is too thick, add pasta water gradually while stirring. Start with a small splash—you can always add more.
Pasta water also helps the sauce stretch further without simply watering it down.
If the sauce becomes too thin, don't immediately load it with cheese. Let it simmer gently first so some of the excess liquid can evaporate. If it still needs thickening, add a little more cheese.
Can I Use Tomato Paste Instead of Marinara?
Yes. If you don't have marinara or tomato sauce, you can use tomato paste.
Dilute the tomato paste with water until you have approximately 1 cup of tomato sauce. Because tomato paste is more concentrated, taste the sauce as you go and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Can I Use a Different Pasta?
Absolutely. Penne works especially well because the creamy bacon tomato sauce gets inside the pasta, but you can substitute another shape.
Rigatoni, ziti, fusilli, or another short pasta would all work well.
Whatever pasta you use, cook it until just shy of al dente and let it finish cooking in the sauce.
Tips for the Best Creamy Bacon Pasta
Save some crispy bacon for the end. Adding all of the bacon to the sauce will soften it. Reserving some gives the finished pasta a crispy, salty topping.
Let the tomatoes simmer. After mashing the tomatoes, give them a few minutes to reduce before adding the marinara and cream. This creates a more concentrated tomato flavor.
Lower the heat before adding the cream. Once you're ready to add the heavy cream and mozzarella, reduce the heat so the sauce stays smooth.
Finish the pasta in the sauce. This is one of the most important steps. The pasta absorbs the sauce while its starch helps everything come together.
Taste before adding salt. Bacon, bouillon, cheese, and salted pasta water all contribute salt.
Use pasta water gradually. It's easy to add more, but difficult to remove once you've added too much.
What to Serve With Creamy Bacon Pasta
This creamy pasta is filling enough to serve as a complete dinner, but it's also great with garlic bread, a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or warm crusty bread for soaking up the extra sauce.
How to Store Leftover Creamy Bacon Pasta
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The sauce will naturally thicken as it cools because the pasta continues absorbing moisture. When reheating, add a small splash of water or cream and stir until the sauce becomes creamy again.
For the best texture, enjoy the pasta freshly made when the bacon is crispy and the sauce is at its creamiest.
One-Pan Creamy Bacon Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the penne in lightly salted water until almost al dente. The pasta will finish cooking in the sauce. Before draining, reserve some of the pasta water.
- If possible, precook the bacon to save time. Cook some of the bacon until crispy and set it aside for topping. Cook the remaining bacon until almost crispy so it can finish cooking with the tomatoes.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Arrange the Roma tomatoes cut-side down around the pan, leaving space in the center. Add the remaining bacon to the center and cook until the bacon is cooked through.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Cover and continue cooking until the tomatoes are soft and their skins begin to loosen.
- Remove the loosened tomato skins with tongs. Mash the tomatoes directly in the pan. Simmer uncovered for a few minutes to cook off excess liquid and concentrate the tomato flavor.
- Stir in the chicken bouillon, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Remember that the bacon, bouillon, cheese, and pasta water will also add salt.
- Add the marinara sauce and stir to combine. Add a splash of reserved pasta water, reduce the heat to low, then add the heavy cream and mozzarella. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Add the penne directly to the sauce and continue cooking until al dente, stirring frequently. Add additional reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Top with Parmesan and/or mozzarella, reserved crispy bacon, fresh parsley, a drizzle of olive oil, and salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
