Ingredients (serves 4)
12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, rotini, or your choice)
6-8 slices of bacon, chopped
1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic powder (or 2 cloves garlic, minced)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: chopped parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
Cook the pasta: Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Cook the bacon: In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels.
Make the sauce:
In the same skillet with a little bacon grease, add garlic (if using fresh) and sauté for 30 seconds.
Lower heat and add heavy cream and ranch dressing. Stir to combine.
Add Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
Combine: Toss the cooked pasta and bacon into the sauce until well coated.
Serve: Garnish with extra Parmesan and parsley/chives if desired.
✅ Tip: For extra flavor, you can add cooked chicken, broccoli, or sun-dried tomatoes.
If you want, I can also give you a quick 15-minute version that’s even easier for a weeknight