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Creamy Ditalini Pasta Recipe with bacon and peas served hot in a skillet, lifted with a wooden spoon.

Easy Ditalini Pasta Recipe with Crispy Bacon

This creamy ditalini pasta is the perfect comfort food — rich, cheesy, and packed with crispy bacon and sweet peas. Quick, satisfying, and made with pantry staples.
4 from 1 vote
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Course : Dinner, Main
Cuisine : Italian-American
Prep Time : 10 minutes
Cook Time : 20 minutes
Resting Time : 0 minutes
Total Time : 30 minutes
Servings : 4
Calories : 480kcal
Cost : $10
Author : Aliana Recipes

Equipment

  • 1 Large pot To cook the ditalini pasta
  • 1 Measuring cup To reserve starchy pasta water
  • 1 Large skillet To cook bacon and mix sauce
  • 1 Spatula For stirring the sauce
  • 1 Colander To drain the pasta

Ingredients
 

  • 250 g ditalini pasta - Small tube pasta, cooked al dente
  • 150 g bacon - Chopped into small pieces
  • 1 cup frozen peas - No need to thaw
  • 1 cup heavy cream - Full-fat for richness
  • 0.75 cup Parmesan cheese - Freshly grated
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt - Or to taste
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper - Or to taste
  • red pepper flakes - A pinch, for a bit of heat
  • fresh herbs - Basil or parsley, chopped
  • 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes - Halved, to stir in or serve on top
  • lemon zest - For a fresh, bright touch

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ditalini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes.
    Steaming pot of freshly boiled ditalini pasta, cooked al dente in a stainless steel pot.
  • Reserve pasta water and drain: Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta but do not rinse.
    Hand pouring starchy pasta water from a measuring cup back into a pot of cooked ditalini pasta.
  • Crisp the bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until golden and crispy. Leave the bacon fat in the pan for flavor.
  • Add sauce ingredients: Lower the heat and add cream, peas, and Parmesan to the skillet. Stir and let simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.
    Creamy sauce base with crispy bacon, peas, and Parmesan cheese in a skillet before mixing.
  • Combine with pasta: Add the drained ditalini to the skillet and toss to coat in the creamy sauce. If too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
    Creamy bacon and pea sauce being stirred in a skillet with a white spatula before adding pasta.
  • Finish and serve: Spoon the pasta into warm bowls and top with extra Parmesan and black pepper. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
    Bowl of creamy ditalini pasta with bacon, peas, and grated Parmesan, ready to serve with a fork.

Notes

This dish tastes like something you'd eat at a cozy family dinner — warm, rich, and completely satisfying. Don't skip reserving the pasta water — it's the secret to that luscious sauce!

Nutrition

Serving : 375g | Calories : 480kcal | Carbohydrates : 42g | Protein : 15g | Fat : 28g | Saturated Fat : 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat : 2g | Monounsaturated Fat : 8g | Cholesterol : 65mg | Sodium : 410mg | Potassium : 220mg | Fiber : 3g | Sugar : 5g | Vitamin A : 700IU | Vitamin C : 10mg | Calcium : 120mg | Iron : 1.4mg