Bacon Pesto Pasta with Basil Pesto

Bacon Pesto Pasta is a quick and easy weeknight dinner option made with minimal ingredients but maximum taste, by using crispy bacon and versatile basil pesto in a deliciously creamy pasta dish.

I love to use pesto in my recipes, it's a great way to add a massive boost of flavour quickly and easily. I always favour making my own pesto (it's soooo much easier than you may think!), but store-bought is good too.

There is almost always homemade pesto in my fridge, but I keep a jar of what I like to call "emergency pesto" in the pantry cupboard in case I run out of my own.

This bacon pesto pasta recipe is substantial enough to serve as a main course, or you can serve smaller portions as a side dish.

Why I think you will love this recipe

• short cook time
• maximum flavour from minimal ingredients

What you need to make this recipe

*Please see the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients with exact quantities and detailed instructions

• pasta - I used penne
• olive oil
• bacon - I use smoked, thick-cut bacon
• mini roma tomatoes
• fresh garlic
• basil pesto - I used homemade
• thickened cream - heavy cream
• freshly grated parmesan cheese
• cooking salt

*Please see the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients with exact quantities and detailed instructions

Substitutions

• Substitute penne pasta for another short-cut pasta such as orecchiette, rigatoni, fusilli or rotini
• If thick-cut bacon isn't available, thin-cut will work great too - I make this bacon pesto pasta here at home with whichever I have on hand
• Instead of mini roma tomatoes, use another type of mini tomato like grape or cherry tomatoes
• Homemade basil pesto can be replaced with store-bought pesto

How to make bacon pesto pasta

1. Fry the bacon.
2. Add tomatoes.

3. Then garlic.
4. Stir in cream.

5. Add basil pesto, parmesan and salt.
6. Lastly, add cooked pasta.

My top tips for the best result

• Reserve a little pasta water when you drain the cooked pasta. This is an easy way to thin out the creamy pesto sauce at the end (if needed).
• The cream sauce will thicken as it cools.

Suggested side dishes

• a simple rocket (arugula) salad
• a bit more substantial salad with pumpkin
• slices of old school sizzler toast
• my super easy, no-knead overnight focaccia

Suggestions for getting ahead

• Chop the bacon and tomatoes up to a few days in advance, then keep them in an airtight container in the fridge until needed.

Variations and optional additions

• Instead of using basil pesto, change up the flavour by using another kind of pesto, such as red pepper pesto or sun-dried tomato pesto
• Add more protein by adding shrimp (prawns) or shredded rotisserie chicken

Storage

Store any leftovers of this bacon pesto pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

This recipe is suitable for freezing, but the pesto may discolour a little.

Other recipes you may enjoy

Pesto Dip - an easy sour cream and pesto dip garnished with pine nuts.

Bacon Tomato Pasta - another quick weeknight pasta dish, but this time with spaghetti tossed in a rich tomato, onion and bacon sauce.

📖 Recipe