Irresistible Creamy Orecchiette with Bacon & Broccoli Recipe

Crafting a delightful creamy orecchiette brings comfort straight to your dinner table.

Pasta lovers appreciate how simple ingredients can create magic in minutes.

Bold flavors of crispy bacon dance alongside tender broccoli florets.

Creamy sauces add luxurious depth to this classic Italian-inspired dish.

Home cooks appreciate straightforward recipes that deliver maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.

Weeknight meals become extraordinary when you blend rich textures and savory elements.

Let’s transform an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration that leaves everyone asking for seconds.

Why Creamy Orecchiette With Crispy Bacon And Broccoli Is So Satisfying

• Craft a Flavor Explosion: Combines bacon's smoky crunch with creamy sauce and tender broccoli for a mouthwatering taste adventure that surprises your palate.
• Master Quick Cooking Techniques: Develops professional-level skills by using smart one-pan cooking method that layers flavors efficiently and reduces cleanup time.
• Create Restaurant-Quality Meal at Home: Elevates simple ingredients into a gourmet dish with sophisticated touches like gochujang and fresh thyme, making dinner feel special without complicated steps.
• Customize for Every Preference: Allows easy modifications like swapping proteins, adjusting spice levels, or making vegetarian by omitting bacon, perfect for flexible meal planning.

The Must-Haves For Creamy Orecchiette With Crispy Bacon And Broccoli

• Orecchiette: A small, ear-shaped pasta that captures sauce beautifully.
• Broccoli: Fresh green vegetable that adds nutritional value and crisp texture to the dish.

• Bacon: Crispy meat that provides a rich, smoky flavor and crunchy texture.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base ingredients that build a deep, savory foundation for the sauce.
• Thyme: Fragrant herb that adds earthy and slightly minty undertones.

• Heavy Cream: Provides a luxurious, silky base for the creamy sauce.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated ingredient that adds depth and slight tanginess.
• Gochujang Paste: Korean chili paste that introduces a spicy and slightly sweet element.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall flavor profile.

How To Make Creamy Orecchiette With Crispy Bacon And Broccoli At Home

Step 1: Boil Water and Prep Ingredients

Fill a large pot with water and sprinkle salt generously. Set the pot on high heat to bring water to a rolling boil.

• Onion (diced)
• Garlic (minced)
• Broccoli (chopped into small florets)
• Bacon
• Thyme
• Tomato paste
• Gochujang paste
• Heavy cream

Step 2: Cook Pasta and Broccoli

Drop orecchiette into boiling water and cook 3 minutes less than package instructions. Toss in broccoli florets and cook for an additional 3 minutes until pasta is perfectly al dente and broccoli is bright green and tender.

Step 3: Create Crispy Bacon Base

Heat a large skillet over high heat. Cook bacon until it transforms into crispy, golden-brown deliciousness.

The sizzling sounds will make your kitchen smell incredible.

Step 4: Build Flavor Foundation

Toss diced onions and minced garlic into the bacon-filled skillet.

Sauté for 2 minutes until they become soft and translucent. Stir in thyme, tomato paste, and gochujang paste to create a robust flavor profile.

Step 5: Create Creamy Sauce

Pour heavy cream into the skillet, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and develop rich, complex flavors.

Step 6: Combine and Coat

Drain the pasta and broccoli, keeping a half cup of cooking water. Add the pasta and broccoli directly into the skillet.

Toss everything together, using reserved cooking water to help create a silky, clingy sauce that hugs each pasta curve.

Step 7: Final Seasoning and Serve

Taste the dish and sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.

The goal is a perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and savory flavors. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the magical combination of crispy bacon, tender broccoli, and perfectly cooked pasta.

Tips You’ll Love For Creamy Orecchiette With Crispy Bacon And Broccoli

• Swap bacon for pancetta or turkey bacon to make the dish lighter and cater to different taste preferences.
• Reserve pasta water carefully, as its starchy liquid helps create a silky, smooth sauce that perfectly coats the orecchiette.
• Chop broccoli into smaller, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and better sauce distribution throughout the dish.
• Consider adding red pepper flakes for extra heat or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free, cheesy flavor without compromising the creamy texture.
• Rinse broccoli in cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and maintain its vibrant green color and crisp texture.

Tweak Creamy Orecchiette With Crispy Bacon And Broccoli Your Way

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace bacon with crispy tofu cubes, sautéed until golden brown, creating a protein-packed meatless version.
• Spicy Mediterranean Fusion: Swap gochujang for harissa paste, add sun-dried tomatoes, and sprinkle feta cheese for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired dish.
• Seafood Elegance: Substitute bacon with succulent shrimp or crab meat, adding a touch of lemon zest and fresh dill for a light, oceanic flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free, maintaining the creamy texture and rich taste of the original recipe.

Side Picks For Creamy Orecchiette With Crispy Bacon And Broccoli

• Harmonize Wine Pairing: Select a crisp, medium-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the creamy sauce and complement the bacon's richness.
• Enhance Beverage Experience: Serve with a cold, hoppy craft beer like an IPA to balance the dish's creamy texture and provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory flavors.
• Boost Side Dish: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add freshness and create a zesty counterpoint to the pasta's creamy and smoky elements.
• Elevate Bread Companion: Serve with toasted sourdough bread rubbed with garlic to soak up the delicious sauce and add a crunchy texture to the meal.

How To Store Creamy Orecchiette With Crispy Bacon And Broccoli Easily

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled pasta to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Remove excess air, seal well, and freeze for 2-3 months. Label with the date.
• Reheat Stovetop: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or cream to restore moisture and prevent sticking. Stir frequently until heated through.
• Microwave Option: Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming. Add a little liquid if needed to prevent dryness.

Your Creamy Orecchiette With Crispy Bacon And Broccoli Questions

• What are the key flavor enhancers in this recipe?

Gochujang paste and thyme provide a unique depth of flavor, while bacon adds a rich, smoky element to the creamy pasta dish.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The gochujang paste adds a mild to moderate heat, depending on the brand and amount used. You can adjust the spiciness by using less paste or choosing a milder version.

• Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, replace bacon with crispy mushrooms or plant-based bacon alternative, and use vegetable cream to maintain the creamy texture and richness.

• What makes orecchiette pasta special for this recipe?

Orecchiette’s unique shape helps capture the creamy sauce and small broccoli pieces, ensuring every bite is flavorful and well-coated.

Creamy Orecchiette with Crispy Bacon and Broccoli Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comforting creamy orecchiette with crispy bacon and broccoli brings Italian pasta magic to your dinner table. Rich parmesan and smoky bacon complement tender broccoli, creating a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Pasta and Main Ingredients:

• 8.5 ounces (240 grams) orecchiette
• 7 ounces (200 grams) bacon bits
• 1 small broccoli head, chopped into bite-sized pieces

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 brown onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons gochujang paste
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, for serving

Dairy:

• 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Bring a generously salted large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat, preparing for pasta cooking.
2. Simultaneously, prepare ingredients by finely dicing onions, mincing garlic, and breaking broccoli into delicate, bite-sized florets.
3. Cook orecchiette in boiling water approximately 3 minutes less than package recommendation, then introduce broccoli florets and continue cooking for an additional 3 minutes.
4. In a spacious skillet heated to high, render bacon until achieving a perfectly crisp, golden-brown texture.
5. Reduce skillet heat and sauté onions and garlic for 2 minutes until translucent, then incorporate thyme, tomato paste, and gochujang for depth of flavor.
6. Gently pour heavy cream into the skillet, allowing it to simmer and create a luxurious sauce base, then lower heat to maintain a gentle warmth.
7. Carefully drain pasta and broccoli, reserving half a cup of starchy cooking liquid to help emulsify the sauce.
8. Transfer pasta and broccoli directly into the skillet, tossing thoroughly to ensure each piece is lavishly coated with the creamy sauce, adding reserved cooking water as needed for desired consistency.
9. Season the dish with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
10. Plate immediately while hot, serving as a comforting and vibrant meal.

Notes

• Pasta Water Magic: Always reserve some starchy pasta water to help create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats every pasta shape.
• Bacon Crispiness Control: Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to render fat evenly and achieve maximum crunchiness without burning.
• Vegetarian Swap: Replace bacon with smoked paprika or sun-dried tomatoes for a similar depth of flavor and smoky undertone.
• Spice Level Adjustment: Reduce or increase gochujang paste based on personal heat tolerance, allowing customization of the dish’s spiciness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 45g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 120mg