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Creamy Bacon Broccoli Pasta

Prep 15 min Cook 15 min Difficulty 2/5

Easy creamy bacon broccoli pasta ready in 30 minutes — simple ingredients and clear steps for a satisfying weeknight meal.

Why this recipe works

This creamy bacon broccoli pasta is a 30-minute, family-friendly dinner that combines crispy bacon, tender broccoli and melty cheese. It suits cooks looking for a quick, satisfying weeknight meal with straightforward pantry ingredients. Prep takes about 15 minutes and cooking about 15 minutes, difficulty level 2 (easy).

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Key takeaways

Ready in 30 minutes — fast weeknight dinner
Balance salty bacon with bright vegetables
Use reserved pasta water to make a smooth sauce

Recipe guide

This creamy bacon broccoli pasta is a 30-minute, family-friendly dinner that combines crispy bacon, tender broccoli and melty cheese. It suits cooks looking for a quick, satisfying weeknight meal with straightforward pantry ingredients. Prep takes about 15 minutes and cooking about 15 minutes, difficulty level 2 (easy).

A quick, creamy weeknight pasta that balances salty bacon with bright broccoli.

  • Ready in 30 minutes — fast weeknight dinner
  • Balance salty bacon with bright vegetables
  • Use reserved pasta water to make a smooth sauce

Ingredients

250 g pasta; 150 g cheese (cheddar or blend), grated; 150 g bacon, chopped; 200 g broccoli, cut into florets; 2 medium carrots, sliced thin; 1 medium onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp butter; salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (approx.).

Instructions

1) Boil pasta in salted water until just shy of al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain. 2) While pasta cooks, heat a large pan, cook bacon until crisp; remove and set aside, leaving some fat. 3) Add butter to pan; sauté onion 3–4 min until softened, add garlic 30 sec. 4) Add carrots and broccoli, sauté 4–5 min until tender-crisp; season. 5) Return bacon to pan, add drained pasta and cheese; toss, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until sauce is creamy and coats pasta. 6) Adjust salt and pepper, serve hot.

Quick Tips & Variations

Use a firmer cheese plus a melting cheese for best texture. Steam broccoli briefly before adding if you prefer softer veg. For a lighter version, swap half the butter for olive oil and use less cheese.

Ingredients

  • 250 g Pasta
  • 150 g Cheese
  • 1 medium Onion
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 150 g Bacon
  • 200 g Broccoli
  • 2 medium Carrots

Instructions

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FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli? Yes — thaw and drain excess water, or add frozen florets directly and cook a couple minutes longer.
What cheese works best? A combination of a sharp cheddar for flavor and a mild melting cheese (like mozzarella) gives creaminess and taste.
How to make it vegetarian? Replace bacon with smoked mushrooms or smoked paprika–seasoned tempeh for a similar savory note.