Creamy Lemon Pasta with Crispy Bacon (Fast and Easy Pasta Recipe)
Bright, silky, and irresistibly creamy, this Lemon Pasta gets an upgrade with crispy chopped bacon. It’s fresh, rich, a little indulgent, and honestly… wildly satisfying!
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup reserved pasta water
- ¾ – 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 4–6 strips bacon, cooked and chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in well-salted water until perfectly al dente. Reserve some hot pasta water before draining.
- Cook the bacon until crispy, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook just until fragrant. About 30 seconds. (No browning, we’re keeping things super silky.)
- Add a splash of hot pasta water and stir.
- Reduce heat to low and gradually add Parmesan, stirring until smooth and glossy.
- Add lemon zest and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Toss the pasta directly into the sauce.
- Add more pasta water as needed until luxuriously creamy.
- Finish with salt, black pepper, and a generous sprinkle of chopped bacon.
Variations
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts MUCH better and gives you a smoother sauce – here is why grating your own cheese is an absolute game-changer for smooth, cheesy sauces!
- Fresh lemon zest makes the whole dish pop. Bright, fragrant, perfect.
- If the sauce thickens too much, a small splash of pasta water brings it right back.
- Swap bacon for pancetta if you’re feeling fancy.
- Add spinach or peas for a little green moment.
- Extra Parmesan never hurt anyone.;)
- Serve immediately with fresh grated parm while creamy, glossy, and totally showing off.
- For an extra kick, top off with fresh cracked pepper, chili oil or Red Pepper Flakes
- Always finish with a few cracks of fresh grated sea salt 😉
In the mood for some easy comfort food? Check out this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta, these Ultra-Crispy Oven Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs and this delightfully easy Cheesy Baked Macaroni with Beef! And if you’re in the mood for a simple one pot wonder meal?! This EPIC One Pot Lasagna dinner that’s ready in less than 27 minutes will absolutely become your new favorite busy-night dinner!
