How to Make the Perfect Bacon Alfredo Bucatini
Italian-American · Easy · 15 min · 4 servings
This bacon Alfredo bucatini is a smoky twist on the classic cream sauce pasta that is ready in just 15 minutes. The quick recipe uses thick hollow bucatini noodles that catch every drop of the rich bacony Alfredo sauce.
Why this recipe works
This Bacon Alfredo Bucatini recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 15 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 640 calories with 26g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 320 g bucatini pasta
- 150 g streaky bacon diced
- 120 ml heavy cream
- 60 g Parmesan cheese finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cook the Bucatini
Boil bucatini in well-salted water until al dente, about 8 to 9 minutes. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 2: Fry the Bacon
While pasta cooks fry diced bacon in a large pan until crispy, about 4 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Alfredo Sauce
In the same pan with bacon fat add butter and garlic, cook for 30 seconds, then pour in cream and simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
Step 4: Finish and Toss
Remove pan from heat, stir in Parmesan, add drained bucatini and reserved pasta water, toss until sauce is glossy and clings to the pasta, then top with crispy bacon.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- heavy cream → half-and-half for a lighter sauce with less fat
- bucatini → spaghetti or fettuccine as an easy alternative noodle
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Adding Parmesan while pan is still on high heat which causes the cheese to clump and turn grainy
- Not using enough pasta water to loosen the sauce making it overly thick and stodgy
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 640 calories, 26g protein, 58g carbs, 34g fat, 2g fiber.
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