This creamy pasta shell meal with sweet peas and bacon is always a crowd pleaser and it is ready in less than 30 minutes!
More easy pasta recipes: Penne Pasta and Peas Recipe with Mascarpone, Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta with Mascarpone and Peas, and Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Asparagus.
Make sure to read: How Long to Boil Pasta Perfectly Every Time to elevate this dish even more!
Why this recipe works
We start with delicious sweet peas that get coated in a creamy sauce and finally, tossed with al dente pasta shells to hold all the delicious sauce.
I like to add the bacon at the end to keep it nice and crunchy!
You will love the fresh pop of flavor from sweet peas and the crunch of savory bacon in every bite. It tastes like home and brings everyone to the table.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Pasta shells (any short pasta variety will work)
- Petite sweet peas
- Bacon or pancetta
- Shallot
- Butter
- Heavy cream
- Parmigiano cheese
- Salt and Pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
Weeknight friendly and kid approved!
While the pasta boils, everything else in this dish comes together in one large skillet. Then, toss the pasta in the skillet and stir until combined.
Shower the top with freshly grated parmigiano and that's it! This is an easy meal that adults and children love!
It’s simple, delicious, and and great dinner recipe to make often. It is ready in about 20 minutes.
I make this so often that I know it by heart, and soon you will too!
Peas
Peas matter…for this recipe I highly recommend the ‘petite’ pea or ‘baby’ sweet pea variety.
Compared to the standard green pea, petite peas are smaller in stature with a more tender skin, and a delicately sweet flavor.
They are also less starchy and simply, better :). Since peas are a main ingredient of this dish it’s important to pick the right ones to create the perfect taste and texture.
Do you want to leave out the bacon in this recipe? Try this recipe instead:
Penne Pasta and Peas Recipe with Mascarpone
Do you want to leave out the peas in this recipe? Try this recipe instead:
Authentic Pasta Carbonara- Italian Recipe (Video)
Authentic Italian Carbonara is an easy meal that tastes restaurant-worthy every time!
Carbonara: silky creamy egg and cheese sauce drown…
Whats the difference between pancetta and bacon?
The biggest difference between pancetta and bacon is that bacon is smoked and pancetta is salt-cured and dried.
In terms of cooking, that means that bacon is still raw and should be cooked. On the other hand, pancetta can be eaten both cooked or uncooked.
Both pancetta and bacon work well in this recipe! Use what you have on hand, or the taste you prefer.
Made with Amore, Elena
From my Cucina to your Table, Mangia! Mangia! (Eat!)
More Delicious Recipes for you
Delicious salty bacon and sweet delicate peas come together in this quick and easy creamy pasta dish recipe, ready in only 20 minutes.
You will come back to this recipe time and time again!
Have you checked out my NEW CBE PRODUCTS? Take a look at the 2-in-1 cutting and charcuterie board, gorgeous apron, and unique pasta server that you that you absolutely need. The wood products are all handmade in Salt Lake City, Utah. They make great gifts as well!
Favorite Tools
I love my Cuisinart Skillet for this recipe.
Easy peasy creamy sweet peas and bacon pasta shells! This comforting meal is packed with flavor for the entire family to enjoy.
Make it soon and come back to leave a star review and rating.
Print
Creamy Pasta Shells with Sweet Peas and Bacon
This pasta dish is always a crowd pleaser! We start with delicious sweet peas that get coated in a creamy buttery sauce and finally, tossed with al dente pasta shells to hold all the delicious sauce. Add the bacon at the end to keep it nice and crunchy! You will love fresh pop of flavor from sweet peas and the crunch of savory bacon in every bite. It tastes like home and brings everyone to the table.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 6 strips bacon or pancetta, cut into chunks
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cups petite peas
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated parmigiano cheese, more for topping
- 1 lb short pasta such as small shells
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. (Important: When pasta is almost done cooking, use a measuring cup to remove and reserve ¼ cup of pasta water)
- While pasta is cooking, heat a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. When hot, add bacon and sauté until golden and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve for later.
- Drain off all but a thin layer of bacon grease from the pan. Reduce heat under the pan to low-medium.
- Add butter and shallots. Sauté until shallots are tender, 3 minutes. Add in peas and cook for 3 more minute. Drain pasta and add reserved pasta water to the pan. Add cream. Stir to combine and bring to a low simmer until bubbly, about 3 minutes. The starches from the pasta water will thicken the cream slightly and create a yummy sauce.
- Take pan off heat. Add the parmigiano cheese and stir to combine. Add the hot pasta to the pan. Stir until incorporated. Top with bacon and stir slightly to keep the bacon on top and still crunchy. Add freshly ground pepper, if desired. Sprinkle with extra parmigiano cheese and serve hot! Mangia!
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: Italian
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: pasta, easy dinner, bacon, peas, cream, main meal, pasta recipe, pasta shells, heavy cream, shallots
Sarah says
This recipe is good and very easy, so we have made it multiple times. The first couple of times I made it as shown and it was delicious. After that, we decided we like it with more sauce and will 1.5 times, or even double the cream and cheese (you could also go milk instead of cream for the extra bit), and/or reduce the amount of pasta a bit. We love it! I have one person in my house that can't have black pepper, so I added a dash of nutmeg instead, which really suits the cream sauce.
★★★★
Elena says
I am happy you loved it.
Ida Collett Belle says
Absolutely obsessed with this, and have adjusted to using canned tuna in olive oil instead of bacon for protein, as well as adding broccoli and cauliflower to up the veggies. I also use soy cream as it leaves less of an aftertaste in my mouth than dairy cream but pile on the parmesan and devour every time. i also add more shallots when i add the veggies to up the zing. original recipe is awesome, my add ons are an attempt to give me an excuse to eat it a few times a week.
★★★★★
Melissa says
Can’t wait to try this 🙂
Are frozen peas ok to use? Could you put them in frozen, or thaw them first?
Elena says
Yes! Frozen peas are great!
Elena says
Put them in frozen.
Candice says
Incredible pasta dish! Full of flavor and the ultimate creamy perfection ! Was loved and enjoyed by the entire family. I love that this is authentic Italian- nothing better 🤤
★★★★★
Elena says
Yes, so easy and full of flavor!
Joan Adriance says
So easy to make, the ultimate comfort food on a sub-zero night here in upstate NY
★★★★★
Elena says
So glad this dish could bring you a bit of comfort and warmth! Enjoy.
Cajsa Wallwork says
So delicious! It’s a quick, easy recipe which is always a plus in our house.
★★★★★
Elena says
This is on rotation at our home right now. So easy and the children love it!
Elena says
This recipe is a keeper! Made this for dinner in no time and it was a hit. So much so, there were no leftovers. 😢
Elena says
Happy everyone loved it! We NEVER have leftovers of this pasta meal either. good thing it is quick to make and you can make it again soon. All the best, Elena
Jeanie B says
Easy, delicious! My favorite kind of recipe.
★★★★★
Elena says
It is a delicious one to make time and time again! Thanks Jeanie.
Marle says
Again, another easy and quick meal that was so delicious. The flavor was wonderful. My toddler loved the mini shells and peas. I think I accidentally hoarded the bacon.
★★★★★
Elena says
Yes! This is a great meal for kids. The bacon is the best 😉
Elena says
We make this meal often and the kids adore it!
★★★★★
Amber says
This is now one of my family’s favorite meals. It’s a go-to when we want something quick and delicious.
★★★★★
Barbara says
Creamy, sweet, salty … the perfect blend of flavours. We all loved it and I will make it again!
★★★★★
Elena says
Yes! It is a great mix of flavors. Thank you.
★★★★★
Daniela says
Perfect weeknight food, when you're "hangry" and you can't wait for dinner! 🙂 Sometimes I use Salsiccia instead of bacon.
★★★★★
Elena says
Ha! Perfect explanation of this easy and filling meal.
Sandea says
Delicious!
★★★★★
Elena says
Happy you loved it!
Catherine Poe says
I loved this recipe! It was delicious!
★★★★★
Elena says
Thank you! It is an easy one to make and love!
Sabrina says
I made this for our New Years Eve dinner and even my picky 10 and 3 year old boys loved it! I did add some rotisserie chicken for some extra protein
★★★★★
Elena says
So happy everyone loved it! It is always a crowd pleaser here too.
Best, Elena