This creamy bacon pasta is the ideal fast meal for busy weeknights. Made with just four ingredients and ready in about 12 minutes, it’s rich, comforting and fuss-free.
Why You’ll LOVE This Quick And Easy Pasta Recipe
Only 4 ingredients — it’s hard to beat a dinner that keeps the shopping list short and the prep simpler. This recipe uses pantry staples and delivers maximum flavour with minimal effort.
Fast to make — from boiling water to serving takes around 12 minutes, making it ideal when time is tight but you still want something satisfying.
Creamy and flavourful — the garlic-and-herb Boursin (or a similar soft cheese) melts into the spaghetti to create a silky, savoury sauce. The bacon adds smoky, salty notes that lift every bite.
Creamy Bacon Pasta Recipe
Serves – 2 people (easily doubled or tripled)
Prep Time – 2 minutes
Cook Time – 10 minutes
Total Time – 12 minutes
Quick alternative: Canned Tuna Pasta (ready in about 15 minutes)
Equipment Needed
- Large saucepan for boiling the spaghetti
- Large skillet or frying pan for cooking the bacon and combining the pasta
- Colander to drain the pasta
- Tablespoon, cooking spoon and forks for stirring and mixing
- Kitchen scissors to snip bacon if you prefer
Creamy Bacon Pasta Ingredients
Just FOUR ingredients for a simple, delicious dinner
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 bacon rashers – snipped into bite-sized pieces
- 150g Boursin garlic and herb soft cheese (or another garlic-and-herb soft cheese; black pepper variety works too)
- 180g dried spaghetti
How To Make Creamy Bacon Pasta
Step-by-step instructions for a quick and creamy pasta
Step One – cook the spaghetti
- Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add a pinch of salt if you like — it seasons the pasta.
- Drop in the spaghetti and stir to separate the strands. Return to the boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
Step Two – reserve a cupful of pasta cooking water
- Before you drain the pasta, scoop out and save a teacupful of the starchy cooking water. This will loosen the sauce and help it cling to the spaghetti.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside briefly.
Step Three – cook the bacon
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon pieces and cook until crisp and golden. Reduce the heat to low to keep warm.
Step Four – toss in the cooked spaghetti and Boursin cheese
- Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the bacon. Drop in the Boursin cheese in dollops.
- Toss and work the cheese through the pasta using forks or tongs. Add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches a silky consistency that coats the pasta.
Step Five – serve the creamy bacon pasta
- Serve immediately while hot. If you like, finish with freshly grated Parmesan or a scattering of chopped fresh parsley or rocket for a peppery contrast.
Recipe Tips And Ingredient Swaps
Keep that cup of pasta water — the starchy water is the secret to a glossy, well-emulsified sauce. Add it slowly until you reach your preferred texture.
Add vegetables — if you want to boost the veg, stir in quick-cooking ingredients such as peas, sliced mushrooms or a handful of baby spinach. They warm through in a minute or two and pair well with the creamy sauce.
Extra protein — to make this more substantial, add pieces of cooked chicken breast or sliced sausages. Fry them with the bacon so they pick up the smoky flavour.
Gluten-free option — simply use gluten-free spaghetti and check that any packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Cheese alternatives — if you don’t have Boursin, another soft garlic-and-herb cheese or a mix of cream cheese plus a little grated Parmesan will work. Adjust salt to taste since some cheeses are saltier than others.
What To Serve With Creamy Bacon Pasta
This rich pasta is delicious on its own, but simple sides can balance the meal: a crisp green salad, steamed broccoli, sautéed green beans, or warm garlic bread all complement the creamy flavours. A light lemon wedge on the side brightens the dish if you prefer a bit of acidity.
Need Some New Family Meal Ideas?
If you like quick, family-friendly dinners, try building a weekly plan around a few easy base recipes like this one. Rotate pasta dishes, simple bakes and one-pot meals to keep evenings varied without lengthy prep.
Get more delicious meal ideas and easy recipes here
straight from the Daisies & Pie kitchen
Love Our Creamy Bacon Pasta? More Quick Pasta Recipes To Try
- Sardine Pasta
- Tuna Pesto Pasta
- Canned Tuna Pasta
- Pesto Pine Nut Pasta
- Tuna and Sweetcorn Air Fryer Pasta Bake