Creamy Garlic, Bacon and Tomato Penne with Mozzarella

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This delicious Creamy Garlic, Bacon and Tomato Penne with Mozzarella Balls recipe was created when I decided to have fun and create a recipe with some of my favorite things. It was amazing! I love it when a recipe comes together so well and this one did.  It’s one of those recipes where I was savoring every bite! Who doesn’t love a creamy garlic penne pasta! I love pasta and one of the many reasons is you can whip up a pasta dish with just about anything. So I joined up with 11 other awesome bloggers to bring you some great recipes using noodles! Gotta love noodles!

Creamy Garlic, Bacon and Tomato Penne with Mozzarella Balls 1

Why Penne?

This pasta has a delicious creamy sauce that coats all the noodles with just enough flavor without drowning them. That is one of the many reasons that I love penne noodles. Penne is a cylinder-shaped pasta noodle that I love with a cream sauce. All that delicious sauce can slide right into that pasta noodle, making each bite delicious! You can use whatever pasta you love though!

Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta

And the mozzarella balls as they melt just add to the creamy sauce… it’s divine I tell you!

Here’s the amazing pasta recipe…

5 from 2 votes

Creamy Garlic, Bacon and Tomato Penne with Mozzarella

Easy weeknight dinner with this Creamy Garlic, Bacon and Tomato Penne with Mozzarella Balls.
Print Recipe
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:20 minutes

Equipment

  • large pot
  • skillet

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb Penne Pasta
  • 1 lb bacon
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons basil chopped finely
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2 Roma tomatoes chopped into bite sized chunks
  • 5 mozzarella balls
  • 3 basil leaves chopped

Instructions

  • Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add salt and your penne pasta. Cook as recommended on the packaging.
  • In a pan brown your sliced bacon over medium heat till crisp. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Remove any additional grease from your pan. Add your olive oil and butter to the pan. Once butter melts add the flour and whisk till the flour is combined evenly.
  • Slowly pour in the milk whisking quickly to combine. Add the garlic, basil, Parmesan cheese and tomato and let simmer a few minutes while the pasta finishes cooking.
  • Add the drained pasta to the pan and mix to coat. Lower temperature to lowest setting and add the mozzarella balls. I tore mine in half, but you can do as you like.
  • Add your fresh basil and serve hot.

Notes

This pasta dish reheats beautifully! I like to reheat in the microwave. Place in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 60 seconds at power level 50%, stir and taste. If it needs more heating, heat for 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir again and taste. Repeat if needed.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: pasta, bacon
Servings: 4 people
Author: Maryann @ Domestically Speaking

Tips and Variations:

  • For an extra kick of flavor, sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the finished dish.
  • Feel free to add some cooked chicken or shrimp for added protein.
  • Substitute regular penne pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free penne for a healthier option.
  • If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought pre-cooked bacon to save some prep time.
  • This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad and some crusty bread.

Creamy Garlic, Bacon, and Tomato Penne with Mozzarella Balls is the epitome of comfort food done right. With each bite, you’ll savor the rich creaminess of the sauce, the smokiness of the bacon, and the burst of freshness from the tomatoes. And let’s not forget about those delightful little mozzarella balls, perfectly melted and gooey, adding a touch of indulgence to every forkful.

Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta

Other Delicious Pasta Dishes:

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Creamy Pesto Three Cheese Tortellini with Chicken

Panko Chicken with Garlic Butter fettuccine

Panko Chicken with Butter Garlic Fettuccine

Baked Penne Rigate

Baked Penne Rigate

Penne Pasta Bacon, Tomato, and Mozzarella Balls in a Creamy Garlic Sauce

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47 Comments

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  2. 5 stars
    Made tonight and was excellent! Wasn’t sure when to add in the bacon but did so after tomatoes cooked a bit. I had little mozzarella pearls instead of balls but worked just as well, just used a bunch!

    Reply

  3. This recipe sounds scrumptious, but I have never heard of or seen mozzarella balls – what amount of regular mozzarella would I use instead – or where would I find mozzarella balls? Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hi,
      Typically you can find fresh mozzarella in small balls (about golf ball size) near the gourmet cheese or sometimes a deli will have them. You could definitely substitute with shredded mozzarella cheese, I’d say about a cup.

      Reply
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  14. Visiting from Pinch of Joy and so glad I did; this looks amazing and pretty easy to put together too. My family will love it. I’m pinning it for later! Thank you.

    Reply
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  23. Please publish the measures of dry goods in grammes and ounces. Only the USA uses volumetric measurement. By doing this, you will more than double your potential audience: from Europe and Asia.

    Reply
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