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Creamy Bacon Broccoli Pasta

Prep 15 min Cook 15 min Difficulty 2/5

Quick creamy bacon broccoli pasta — cheesy, bright veggies and crispy bacon ready in ~30 minutes.

Why this recipe works

Creamy Bacon Broccoli Pasta is a simple, comforting dish combining crisp bacon, tender broccoli and a cheesy sauce. It suits busy weeknights or anyone wanting a quick, vegetable-forward pasta. This recipe is straightforward and works with common pantry staples; no advanced techniques required.

Search intent: cook creamy bacon broccoli pasta
  • creamy bacon broccoli pasta recipe
  • quick bacon pasta weeknight
  • cheesy broccoli pasta
  • 30 minute pasta with bacon

Key takeaways

Ready in about 30 minutes — easy weeknight meal
Use pasta water to create a smooth, cheesy sauce
Swap cheeses or add cream to adjust richness

Recipe guide

Creamy Bacon Broccoli Pasta is a simple, comforting dish combining crisp bacon, tender broccoli and a cheesy sauce. It suits busy weeknights or anyone wanting a quick, vegetable-forward pasta. This recipe is straightforward and works with common pantry staples; no advanced techniques required.

A quick, weeknight pasta with bacon, broccoli and cheesy cream in 30 minutes.

  • Ready in about 30 minutes — easy weeknight meal
  • Use pasta water to create a smooth, cheesy sauce
  • Swap cheeses or add cream to adjust richness

Ingredients (serves 2–3)

250 g pasta, 150 g cheese (grated), 1 medium onion (diced), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 2 tbsp butter, 150 g bacon (bite-sized), 200 g broccoli (florets), 2 medium carrots (thinly sliced), salt, pepper. Reserve 1 cup pasta water when draining.

Step-by-step

1) Boil salted water, cook pasta until al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain. 2) Blanch broccoli and carrots 2–3 minutes, drain. 3) In a skillet, cook bacon until crisp; remove and set aside. 4) Sauté onion in butter until translucent, add garlic 30s. 5) Add pasta, blanched veg and cheese to skillet; toss with reserved pasta water a little at a time to make a creamy sauce. 6) Stir bacon back in, season to taste and serve immediately.

Quick tips & swaps

Use any short pasta (penne, fusilli). For extra creaminess add 2–3 tbsp cream or a splash of milk. Cook bacon in the pan first for flavor; reserve some fat to sauté onion. If sauce is too thin, simmer gently; too thick, loosen with pasta water.

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

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain.
  2. Trim broccoli into florets and slice carrots thinly; blanch broccoli and carrots in boiling water 2–3 minutes until bright and slightly tender, then drain.
  3. Dice onion and mince garlic. Cut bacon into bite-sized pieces. Grate or shred cheese.

FAQs

How long does this take end-to-end? About 30 minutes total: 15 min prep, 15 min cook.
Can I use different cheese? Yes — cheddar, mozzarella or a mix with Parmesan all work; grate finely so it melts smoothly.
How do I store and reheat leftovers? Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water or milk to restore creaminess.