Creamy Bacon Parmesan Fettuccine

Creamy Bacon Parmesan Fettuccine is a luxurious pasta dish that marries the rich flavors of crispy bacon, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and a smooth, creamy sauce with perfectly cooked fettuccine noodles. The dish begins with the sizzle of bacon, its fat rendering and crisping to perfection. Once the bacon is crispy, it's often set aside, while the same pan is used to create a velvety sauce. This typically involves a combination of heavy cream (or a mix of milk and flour for a lighter version), garlic, and sometimes onion, simmered until thickened. The freshly grated Parmesan cheese is stirred into the sauce, melting into a silky texture that clings to the noodles. The cooked fettuccine is then tossed in this creamy sauce, ensuring every strand is coated. Chopped or crumbled pieces of the crispy bacon are mixed in, providing a savory, salty bite that contrasts beautifully with the rich sauce. It may also be garnished with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs like parsley for color and freshness, and black pepper for a little kick. The result is a comforting, indulgent dish that combines the beloved flavors of creamy pasta, cheese, and bacon in every bite.

Ingredients:

• 1 package bacon, diced

• 1 lb fettuccine noodles

• 1/2 yellow onion, diced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

• 4 oz cream cheese

• 5 oz parmesan cheese

• 1/2 cup pasta water

Directions:

1. Start by heating pan on medium heat with a little bit of cooking oil. Add your bacon once pan is hot. (Alternatively, you can cook bacon in oven at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Done this way you will not have the flavor of the bacon in the pan.)

2. Cook bacon until crispy and set aside on paper towel to drain excess fat.

3. Remove a portion of the bacon fat, leaving some (2 tbsps) to cook the diced onions. Add onions to pan and cook until translucent. Then add garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

4. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer.

5. Cook fettuccine according to package. Drain and set aside while you finish sauce. Save 1/2 cup of pasta water to add to the pasta sauce.

6. Add parmesan cheese to sauce mixing until combined. Add pasta water a little bit at a time until it becomes consistency you like (you might not need all that you saved). Salt and pepper to taste. Then combine sauce and fettuccine noodles and serve!