‘Easy Cream' Penne Pasta Recipe

This particular recipe is perfectly suited to busy eaters on a budget because...

• You only need 5 ingredients

• Even the required equipment is easy: 1 deep frying pan and 1 big pasta pan.

So let’s see how easy this Italian pasta recipe is…

Serves 4

Ingredients: (For a printable PDF shopping list click here, or right-click this link and choose 'Save target/link' to save the list for later.)

400g/14oz penne pasta

Quarter litre (250ml or 8.5fl oz) of single cream (I prefer ‘full fat’)

2 teaspoons of black pepper

100g/3.5oz pancetta (belly bacon cubes), or chopped bacon bits

25g/0.8oz butter

Extra virgin olive oil

Optional: 50g/1.75oz parmesan cheese (to grate)

Equipment

Big deep pan/skillet with lid

Large frying pan (ideally deep too)

Optional: Cheese grater (if using parmesan)

STEP 1 – Boil a couple of kettles full of water. Then get this water boiling in your large pan, on a high heat hob.

Stir in 2 handfuls of salt (this brings out the pasta’s full taste), add the pasta into the pan, and set your timer as per the pasta packet’s instructions (penne typically takes 8-10 minutes to cook ‘al dente’).

STEP 2 - Melt the butter in a medium heat frying pan.

When melted, throw in the bacon bits. Cook until slightly crisp and browned (usually 4-5 minutes).

STEP 3 – When the bacon is done, pour over the cream.

Mix gently and heat through for 2 mins – on the same medium heat hob.

STEP 4 – If the pasta is now ready, drain it and throw it in the frying pan with the grated parmesan.

Mix this al through for a minute or two, then serve.

If the pasta isn’t ready yet, take the sauce off the hob - and when the pasta is ready just drain it, mix in, and heat through as described above.

Done. That’s why this penne recipe is such a winner… it’s over before you’ve even realised you’re cooking!

• Get eggy with it, with my breakfast pasta recipe.

• Make winter warmer with this wholesome pasta fagioli recipe.

• Combine your fave short pasta with this 5-minute pesto sauce recipe.

And… did you like this penne pasta recipe? Let me know your thoughts.