Mary Berry Penne Pasta with Bacon Recipe
Make dinner easy and delicious with this Mary Berry Penne Pasta with Bacon Recipe! Packed with penne, bacon, cream, and garlic, it’s a quick, rich, and comforting pasta dish.
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Large frying pan or skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Colander for draining pasta
- Measuring cups and spoons.
Ingredients
- 300 g penne pasta
- 200 g bacon cut into small strips or cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano optional
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving a small cup of pasta water.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
- Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until golden and crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving a small amount of rendered fat in the pan for flavor.
Step 3: Build the Flavor Base
- Add olive oil if needed. Sauté onions until soft and translucent, about 5–7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Make the Cream Sauce
- Lower the heat and pour in the cream. Stir gently and let it warm through. Add parmesan cheese and black pepper, stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
Step 5: Combine Everything
- Add cooked pasta and crispy bacon back into the pan. Toss well to coat everything evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
Step 6: Final Touch
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top.
Step 7: Serve
- Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- Always salt your pasta water properly
- Don’t overcook pasta—al dente is key
- Save pasta water for adjusting sauce texture
- Cook bacon until properly crisp for best contrast
- Lower heat before adding cream to avoid splitting