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Quick and Creamy Pasta Carbonara

Quick and Creamy Pasta Carbonara

Name: Quick and Creamy Pasta Carbonara
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3 cups rigatoni pasta; 6 slices bacon, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 ¼ cups 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

Rating: 4.52 stars

83 Ratings
66 Reviews
29 Photos

This rich pasta toss is great for everyday dinners or special occasions. I can come home from work and throw this dish together in a half hour.

By Big Daddy Cooks

Gallery

Recipe Summary

prep:

15 mins

cook:

25 mins

total:

40 mins

Servings:

Yield:

4 servings

Nutrition Info

Ingredients

Original recipe yields 4 servings

The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

3 cups rigatoni pasta
6 slices bacon, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 ¼ cups 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

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 13 minutes. Drain.

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Step 2

Meanwhile, place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving drippings in pan; set bacon aside.
Step 3

Cook and stir garlic in the remaining bacon grease over medium heat. Add milk, cream cheese, and butter to skillet; stir until smooth. Stir Parmesan cheese, peas, ham, and bacon into cream cheese mixture; cook until peas are heated through, about 5 minutes more. Mix pasta into sauce to serve.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

778 calories; protein 25.3g; carbohydrates 46.7g; fat 55.5g; cholesterol 156mg; sodium 975.4mg. Full Nutrition

Reviews (66)

Most helpful positive review

Jayelle

09/03/2012

Made this the other night...can't stop thinking about it. Ten stars. Followed exactly. This stuff is no joke. Will probably have to make it again in a couple days:) Read More

Helpful

(20)

Most helpful critical review

Jodie Baker

06/25/2014

cream cheese took forever to melt and the sauce curdled had to add salt and pepper Read More

Helpful

(2)

83 Ratings

5 star values: 59
4 star values: 15
3 star values: 4
2 star values: 3
1 star values: 2

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Jayelle

09/03/2012

Made this the other night...can't stop thinking about it. Ten stars. Followed exactly. This stuff is no joke. Will probably have to make it again in a couple days:) Read More

Helpful

(20)

Sarah Jo

11/19/2012

This was a last minute dinner attempt after my original dinner tanked. VERY simple which I appreciated. I did not have ham or peas, what I did was throw in a good amount steamed broccoli. I also added a good amount fresh ground pepper. I sprinkled fresh parmesan over each portion before serving. The boys and I inhaled this. VERY good. Read More

Helpful

(17)

emma3308

09/05/2012

Delicious but it does take a long time. I also added pepper to taste Read More

Helpful

(10)

Bradym0823

08/17/2012

Very yummy! Slightly time consuming but well worth the extra effort! I added shredded grilled chicken to mine as well which was a nice added touch. Read More

Helpful

(4)

louiepxs

08/26/2016

Delicious. Made it exactly as said. To avoid curdling I took it off the heat when it started to bubble and stirred until smooth. Will make again. Read More

Helpful

(2)

www.azlbcg.xyz

10/05/2012

I found this recipe with not much in the house to cook and craving pasta. I did not find it time-consuming to cook as others have commented. I had to substitute the Parmesan cheese for shredded "pizza" 5 cheese blend and bacon for ham. It came out super tasty. I'd say a mix b/c spaghetti carbonara and alfredo sauce. Will definitely make again. Read More

Helpful

(2)

Jodie Baker

06/25/2014

cream cheese took forever to melt and the sauce curdled had to add salt and pepper Read More

Helpful

(2)

Lynne Ahearn

08/06/2013

Delish-- As I rule I don't rate or comment on a recipe if I make changes to it but in this case will make the exception.This to me was a marriage of an Alfredo and a carbonara with the bacon. I was looking for something different to make for dinner. I had leftover tortellini salad I wanted to use up and together they worked well. My tortellini salad had a little fresh basil and parsley a few pine nuts red and yellow peppers pepper flake and artichoke hearts. The vinagrette was very mild but it added a touch of brightness to the dish to cut through some of the fat.I did drain some of the bacon fat as there was enough fat in the cream cheese and the extra olive oil from the dressing. I followed the recipe exactly until the point I added the pasta where I substituted the tortellini salad. I warmed the cold pasta salad in the sauce and added cooked bacon and cheese as directed. I did not have any ham and eliminated the peas as well. The artichoke hearts and peppers were there for sweetness and color instead. The changes made were out of desire to use existing product but the actual sauce was as written. I have made again as written and I do cut out some of the bacon fat and add just a touch of red pepper flakes depending on who is home for dinner. Read More

Helpful

(2)

Kelsey_Plass

10/19/2013

i didnt have ham or peas so i used corn and chicken still came out great! i'd probably say next time id take out at least half the grease from the bacon. i also added salt and pepper.. for my self more parmesan too! Read More

Helpful

(1)

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Back to Quick and Creamy Pasta Carbonara

All Reviews for Quick and Creamy Pasta Carbonara

- of Reviews

Quick and Creamy Pasta Carbonara

Servings Per Recipe: 4
Calories: 778

% Daily Value *

protein: 51 %

carbohydrates: 15 %

dietary fiber: 9 %

sugars:

fat: 85 %

saturated fat: 162 %

cholesterol: 52 %

vitamin a iu: 37 %

niacin equivalents: 65 %

vitamin b6: 16 %

vitamin c: 9 %

folate: 31 %

calcium: 28 %

iron: 15 %

magnesium: 18 %

potassium: 12 %

sodium: 39 %

thiamin: 22 %

calories from fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Quick and Creamy Pasta Carbonara

1 of 66

All Reviews

Jayelle

09/03/2012

Made this the other night...can't stop thinking about it. Ten stars. Followed exactly. This stuff is no joke. Will probably have to make it again in a couple days:)

Helpful

(20)

Sarah Jo