Penne Bacon Alfredo

Bacon and Alfredo in the same title? Yes! I think I've mentioned before that Fettuccine Alfredo is maybe my favorite meal..ever, but when you add bacon to it? Another one of my most favorite foods ever..purely sinful. My favorite pasta dish with bacon is Pasta Carbonara, if you haven't checked it out yes, please do so! To make myself feel better about this dish I used Half & Half, but really, when you add bacon, butter, and Parmesan cheese to that you might as well have used heavy cream, ha! I kid I kid, it's always better to substitute healthier ingredients when you can, and just between you and I, once you add all of the other goodies you can't even tell you used half & half! I also have to tell you all about this amazing bacon I picked up for this dish, I think it may be new, because I haven't seen it before, but it's Oscar Meyer's Super Thick Cut Applewood Smoked Bacon, it was so thick and delicious tasting! For all my bacon and Alfredo lovers out there, try this dish ASAP! ** Also, from this point forward I will be adding a printable version of each recipe I post, you can find them above the recipe labeled "Printable", just click on that and you will have a easily printable version of the recipe! :)

{Printable}

Ingredients:
5 Slices Thick Cut Bacon, diced into medium size pieces
4 Tablespoons Butter
1 1/2 Cups Half & Half
8 oz. Penne
3/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Large Garlic Clove, minced
Salt & Pepper, to taste
-
Directions:
In a fry pan, cook your bacon until chewy (or longer if you like your bacon crunchy) and then drain on a paper towel lined plate; set aside. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil, then add a touch of olive oil and plenty of salt and then dump in your pasta. While your pasta is cooking, melt the butter and garlic in a deep fry pan until butter is melted all the way. Pour your half & half into the pan and whisk to combine it with the butter. Bring the mixture to a simmer and then sprinkle in your Parmesan cheese and whisk to melt it into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to your liking, and then stir in your bacon. Drain your pasta and add it to your sauce and mix everything until all of the pasta is coated evenly.