Tortellini, Peas, and Bacon with Carbonara Sauce
/This is such an easy meal that everyone likes. You can’t go wrong with pasta in a creamy sauce topped with bacon. I hope you give it a try!
Tortellini, Peas, and Bacon with Carbonara Sauce
Ingredients
3 slices of ham (or Canadian Bacon)
5 strips of bacon
Package of Tortellini (or Spaghetti Noodles work too)
1 cup frozen peas
2 large egg yolks
1/2 cup heavy cream (half and half would also work if you only have that; milk will be too thin.)
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup water reserved from your pasta water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Start a large pot of water boiling for your pasta.
Cook bacon in a skillet. While that’s cooking, dice up your ham slices. Once cooked and crispy, remove the bacon strips to a paper towel lined plate. Then, toss in the ham pieces and let them cook for a few minutes, until they are warmed and a touch crispy. Remove those to the paper towel lined plate with the bacon. Once cooled, cut the bacon into small strips and mix together with the ham.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
Cook the pasta according to package directions. If you are using tortellini, add the peas and cook for 2 minutes, then add the tortellini. If you are using spaghetti noodles, add those first and when there are 4 minutes or so left, toss in the peas.
Set aside 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta/peas in a colander. Return to the pot.
Add the egg/cream/cheese mixture to the pasta in the pot and pour in the reserved pasta water. Cook over low heat, tossing gently, until the sauce is thickened and coats the pasta.
Add in the bacon and ham and toss gently to mix. Serve immediately.