Wagon Wheel Pasta with Ricotta Cheese Bacon and Peas

Brighten up your weeknight dinners with this delightful Wagon Wheel Pasta with Ricotta Cheese, Bacon, and Peas. Perfectly cooked rotelle pasta serves as the fun and whimsical base for a creamy ricotta-Parmesan sauce infused with a zesty hint of lemon. Crispy bacon adds a smoky crunch, while tender sweet peas bring a burst of freshness to every bite. This comforting yet sophisticated dish comes together in just 35 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings or casual gatherings. Garnished with fresh parsley for a final pop of color and flavor, this playful pasta recipe is guaranteed to be a hit with kids and adults alike. Don’t forget to reserve that pasta water—it’s the secret to achieving the perfect creamy consistency!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz wagon wheel pasta (rotelle)
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the wagon wheel pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain, then crumble into small pieces. Discard most of the bacon grease but leave about 1 tablespoon in the skillet.

Step 3

In the same skillet with the reserved bacon grease, add the olive oil and minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to let the garlic burn.

Step 4

Add the frozen peas to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until tender and heated through.

Step 5

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water to make the mixture smooth and creamy.

Step 6

Combine the drained pasta, peas, and crumbled bacon in the skillet. Pour the ricotta mixture over the pasta and gently toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, stir in small amounts of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 8

Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy your Wagon Wheel Pasta with Ricotta Cheese, Bacon, and Peas!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(937.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2411.8

Total Fat 88.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 35.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.6g
Cholesterol 238.3mg	0%
Sodium 4125.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 309.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.5g	0%
Total Sugars 21.5g
Protein 114.1g	0%

Vitamin D 7.7IU	0%
Calcium 1594.7mg	0%
Iron 10.6mg	0%
Potassium 1519.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 32.1%

Protein: 18.3%

Carbs: 49.6%