Penne with Bacon and Cream

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the 8 oz penne and cook until al dente, about 11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.

Step 2

While pasta cooks, chop the 4 slices bacon into small pieces. Cook in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving 1 tbsp drippings.

Step 3

Mince the 2 garlic cloves and sauté in the bacon drippings over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the 1 cup heavy cream and bring to a simmer, stirring often, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.

Step 4

Add the cooked penne, crispy bacon, and 1/2 cup grated parmesan to the skillet. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time if the sauce is too thick. Season with the 1 tsp salt and serve hot.