Quick and Creamy Pasta Carbonara

This rich pasta toss is great for everyday dinners or special occasions. I can come home from work and throw this dish together in a half hour.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 778 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 ¼ cups milk
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cut into cubes
• ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
• 3 cups rigatoni pasta
• ¼ cup fresh green peas
• ¼ cup diced cooked ham

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 13 minutes. Drain.

Step 2

Meanwhile, place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving drippings in pan; set bacon aside.

Step 3

Cook and stir garlic in the remaining bacon grease over medium heat. Add milk, cream cheese, and butter to skillet; stir until smooth. Stir Parmesan cheese, peas, ham, and bacon into cream cheese mixture; cook until peas are heated through, about 5 minutes more. Mix pasta into sauce to serve.