Creamy Pasta Shells with Sweet Peas and Bacon
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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.
Table of Contents
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.
More Bacon Recipes For You
- Crispy bacon, tender asparagus, and a hint of honey-soy. This easy bacon-wrapped asparagus steals the show!
Made with Amore, Elena
From my Cucina to your Table, Mangia! Mangia! (Eat!)
More Delicious Pasta Recipes for you
Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Pasta
No Fuss Fusilli Pasta with Zucchini (Easy)
Easy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad (Vegetarian)
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.
Pasta with Peas and Bacon
Ingredients
- 6 strips bacon or pancetta, cut into chunks
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cups petite peas, frozen is fine
- 1 ½ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated parmigiano cheese, more for topping
- 1 pound short pasta, such as small shells
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon or pancetta and cook until golden brown and crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving a thin layer of the drippings in the pan.
- Add the butter and shallot to the skillet. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the peas and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Pour in the reserved pasta water and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Parmigiano cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add the drained pasta and toss until every shell is coated in the sauce. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle the crispy bacon over the top and gently toss once or twice, leaving plenty on top for texture and crunch. Mangia!
Notes
- Cook the pasta just until al dente. It will continue to absorb sauce as it sits.
- Reserve the pasta water before draining. It’s the secret to a silky sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Use freshly grated Parmigiano for the smoothest, creamiest texture.
- Add the bacon at the end so it stays crisp and doesn’t soften in the sauce.
- Don’t overcook the peas. They should stay bright green with a slight pop when you bite into them.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Serve immediately for the best creamy texture and crunchy bacon.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of cream, milk, or water to bring the sauce back to life.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe was AMAZING! She gives the perfect instructions and ingredient ratios. I’m Italian myself and really picky. We loved this recipe and will be using it in the future! Thank you Elena!! 🙏🏼
So happy to hear this! Hope you love it time and time again!
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.
I am happy you loved it.
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.
Can’t wait to try this 🙂
Are frozen peas ok to use? Could you put them in frozen, or thaw them first?
Yes! Frozen peas are great!
Put them in frozen.
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 🤤
Yes, so easy and full of flavor!