One Pot Pea and Bacon Pasta in Mascarpone Parmesan Sauce

One Pot Pea and Bacon Pasta in Mascarpone Parmesan Sauce is a decadently delicious pasta and the EASIEST pasta you will ever make (seriously look at the directions)!  Fabulous company or special occasion (Easter!) stress free side. 

Pea and Bacon Pasta  with basil on top.


 

Is it Easter yet?  I love holidays not only for the chance to get together with family but also for the chance to reunite with long lost taste bud calorie splurges AKA this AH-Mazing One Pot Pea and Bacon Pasta in Mascarpone Parmesan Sauce!  Because holidays are meant to indulge and because you sharing and receiving rave reviews for your pasta means you won’t eat the WHOLE POT- which is probably a good thing – but you will be secretly bemoaning your benevolence with one bite of Bacon Pea Pasta.  So maybe you want to make this pasta before Easter too?  and during and after…

Pea and Bacon Pasta in a white bowl with basil on top.

Ever since I wiped away drool as Giada de Laurentiis finished her pasta sauce off with a heaping scoop of mascarpone cheese a few weeks ago, I have been yearning for its soft, creamy indulgence.  If you aren’t familiar with mascarpone, I consider it a “special occasion” cheese because its a little more expensive, higher in calories – and it tastes like it (heaven!).  Its rich and creamy with a subtle milky, sweet, slightly tangy flavor, and is somewhere in between butter and cream cheese as far as texture which means it melts like a velvety dream. And will be seeing you in your dreams.

One Pot Pea and Bacon Pasta in Mascarpone Parmesan Sauce is a decadently delicious pasta and the EASIEST pasta you will ever make (seriously look at the directions)! Fabulous company or special occasion stress free side! #Easter #holiday #Christmas #Thanksgiving #pesto

So to showcase this mascarpone, I created a special occasion (hello Easter!) side that is a quick and easy STRESS FREE one pot wonder.   Simply prepare your pasta according to directions, strain and reserve some water – then stir in all remaining ingredients. – DONE!!!  The marscapone melts right into the hot pasta, smothering every nook and cranny, followed by your freshly grated Parmesan cheese.  Then to really finish it off, we add an array of seasonings, splashes of Dijon and lemon juice, prepared pesto  (I love pesto from Costco – always keep it stocked!),  and of course petite peas and crispy, bacon.

Its fresh, creamy, full of flavor and eyes-roll-back-in-your-head-delicious.  Pasta as it should be.  Thank you mascarpone.  Let’s splurge.

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One Pot Pea and Bacon Pasta in Mascarpone Parmesan Sauce is a decadently delicious pasta and the EASIEST pasta you will ever make (seriously look at the directions)! Fabulous company or special occasion stress free side! #Easter #holiday #Christmas #Thanksgiving #pesto

One Pot Pea and Bacon Pasta in Mascarpone Parmesan Sauce

Servings: 6 servings
Total Time: 17 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound Gemelli pasta (may sub other short pasta)
  • 1 8 oz. container mascarpone
  • 1/2 cup finely freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups frozen petite peas, thawed
  • 3 tablespoons prepraed pesto
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ -1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • Pinch of sugar
  • 6-8 bacon strips cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

  • Prepare pasta according to directions in generously salted water. Once cooked, reserve 1 cup pasta water then strain pasta and return to pot.
  • Stir in mascarpone until completely melted followed by Parmesan cheese until melted then all remaining ingredients, adding pasta water a little at a time until you reach desired consistency. Season with additional salt, pepper, lemon etc. to taste if desired. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and parsley (optional) and serve warm.

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28 Comments

  1. Jewel says

    I have never actually tried mascarpone cheese before but this looks like the perfect introduction! And I can’t believe how easy it is! Making this week for sure!

    • Jen says

      YAY! I am so excited you are making this so soon – I think you will love it and welcome to mascarpone!!

    • KarenM says

      Jewel , you will love this! I just made it for dinner and it was wonderful. I added lemon zest in addition to the juice. Great recipe!

      • Jen says

        Hi Karen, I love that you made this already and so happy it was a hit! The addition of lemon zest sounds delish! Thanks so much!

        • KarenM says

          Thank you Jen for all your great recipes. I also used gluten free pasta (Barilla) worked great,

          • Jen says

            You are so welcome Karen, so happy you are enjoying them and were able to make it gluten free! Thanks so much!

  2. Dorothy Dunton says

    Hi Jen! I really like peas in pasta dishes, I always put them in my macaroni salad. This sounds wonderful and I will definitely be making it soon!

    • Jen says

      Me too Dorothy! there is something about peas and creamy pasta that is magical! I hope you love this one!

  3. Cindy says

    This looks divine – definitely one for the Easter table! Thanks Jen!

    • Jen says

      You are so welcome, thanks Cindy! I am so excited for you to try it and its so perfect for Easter!!!

  4. Sandi says

    Jen,
    I have prepared a lot of recipes from foodie blogs that looked so good, only to find the paper I printed them on would have had more flavor! Then there are the sites who use the same ingredient’s over and over with a slight change, only to find out it all sort of tastes the same. Then there Carlsbad Cravings….a blog with pictures that makes my mouth water and recipes that are actually some of the best I’ve ever had. You are the one to follow, you are awesome and thank you for doing what you do! You’ve got it all Jen…Thank you again!

    • Jen says

      Sandi, your comment literally brought tears to my eyes and I had to read it to my husband – THANK YOU for not only making my recipes but for taking time to fill my heart and soul with joy! I truly love what I do and put my heart and soul into every recipe so to read such a kind, appreciate comment means so much to me! Thank YOU so much!!!

  5. Lisa Lin says

    Easter is definitely one of my husband’s favorite holidays (only after Christmas) because of all the chocolate he gets! Even now, his mother will save large chocolate easter eggs for us! I’ve been cooking a lot of one pot pasta dishes lately, so this one is right up my alley! Love that you used mascarpone cheese here!

    • Jen says

      Hi Lisa! That is so cute that your husband loves Easter so much because of the chocolate! I love that holidays make us all kids at hear again 🙂 I can’t get enough of one pot meals and slow cooker recipes lately either! I’m starting to wonder if I am just getting lazy or smart – haha. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Easter – with LOTS of chocolate 🙂

  6. Mary says

    Hi Jen, I will be making this yummilicious recipe as is fir myself. My sister hates peas…could she really be related? Is it posdible to substitute something else? Edamame, lima beans, or anything else?

    • Jen says

      Hi Mary! You can definitely substitute edamame, lima beans or anything else she loves – but how someone could love lima beans over peas is beyond me 🙂 steamed broccoli cut quite small would also be delicious as would sautéed zucchini. Enjoy!!

  7. Liz says

    This pasta sounds so good. Thank you Jen.

    • Jen says

      You are so welcome Liz, I hope you love it!

  8. Chelsea says

    This was truly scrumptious! And is being added to our family favorites. Thanks for sharing this beautiful inspiration.

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much Chelsea, I am thrilled it is being added to the family favorites – YAY! and I need to use the descriptor scrumptious a whole lot more – what a happy word! 🙂

  9. June says

    I can’t find mascrapone cheese. Can I use cream cheese as a substitute?

    • Jen says

      Hi June, Mascarpone can be found with the specialty cheeses/deli cheeses. Cream cheese would taste delicious but doesn’t melt the same as mascarpone so I highly recommend mascarpone instead.

  10. Lisa says

    This dish was delicious! It was light and really easy to make. I did double the onion powder, garlic and pepper. This will be a keeper.

    • Jen says

      Thanks so much Lisa, I’m so pleased it will be on repeat!

  11. Amy says

    Wow. I just made this for dinner and had to comment. The hubby and I both loved it! It’s so creamy and savory and the peas add just the right amount of sweetness. Will be making for my next dinner party!

    • Jen says

      Thank you Amy, I’m so pleased it’s a new favorite!

  12. Brenda Castellano says

    As always very yummy! Haven’t made anything on your page that did not get rave reviews.

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much! I’m thrilled that you have been enjoying the recipes!