QUICK AND CREAMY PASTA CARBONARA

Quick and Creamy Pasta Carbonara image

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.

Provided by Big Daddy Cooks

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

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

Steps:

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.
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.
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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 778 calories, Carbohydrate 46.7 g, Cholesterol 156 mg, Fat 55.5 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 25.3 g, SaturatedFat 32.3 g, Sodium 975.4 mg, Sugar 6 g