Creamy Pasta Carbonara with Green Peas

Indulge in a decadent pasta dish featuring the richness of cream cheese and the savory notes of bacon and ham, elevated with the addition of vibrant green peas.

Ingredients

3	rigatoni pasta
6	diced bacon
2	minced garlic
1 ¼	milk
1	(8 ounce) package cream cheese, cut into cubes
½	cup butter, softened
½	cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
¼	cup fresh green peas
¼	cup diced cooked ham

Instructions

• 1. Begin by bringing a large pot of lightly salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook the rigatoni in the bubbling water, stirring occasionally until al dente, which should take approximately 13 minutes. Drain the pasta.
  2. Meanwhile, in a spacious skillet, place the diced bacon over medium-high heat. Cook the bacon, turning it occasionally, until it attains an even, crispy brown hue, which usually takes around 10 minutes. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon, leaving the flavorful drippings in the pan; set aside the bacon for later use.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic in the remaining bacon grease over medium heat. Introduce the milk, cubed cream cheese, and softened butter to the skillet, stirring until the mixture achieves a smooth consistency. Incorporate the freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, green peas, diced ham, and the crispy bacon into the creamy cheese blend. Allow the peas to heat through, approximately 5 minutes. Combine the cooked pasta with the luscious sauce for a delightful serving.

Jul 20, 2024