Bacon Sausage Pesto Penne Pasta Recipe

My Busy-Day Pasta Trick

Some nights, you need a hug in a bowl. This pasta is mine. It comes together in one pan. Well, almost one pan. I still laugh at that. I tried to cook everything in the skillet once. Let’s just say it was a very full, very messy experiment.

Why does this matter? Because good food shouldn’t take all night. This recipe is for busy school nights or tired parents. It feels fancy but is simple. What’s your go-to meal when time is short? I’d love to know.

The Magic of the Sauce

Let’s talk about the creamy pesto sauce. It starts with butter and flour. You cook it just until it bubbles. This makes a roux. That’s just a fancy word for a thickener. Don’t let it brown.

Then you whisk in hot milk. It will get wonderfully thick. Stir in the mozzarella. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Finally, swirl in the pesto. The green color makes me so happy. It tastes like summer.

Cooking the Good Stuff

Now for the bacon and sausage. I slice them up and brown them in my big skillet. The sizzle is the best sound. The smell fills the whole house. Everyone comes to the kitchen asking, “When’s dinner?”

You pour out most of the grease. Then something fun happens. You add the dry pasta and cold water right to the same pan. Fun fact: This “one-pan” pasta method helps the noodles soak up all that meaty flavor. It’s a clever little trick.

Bringing It All Together

After the pasta cooks, you add the tomatoes. They bring a little sweet tang. Then you pour that gorgeous green sauce over everything. Give it a big, gentle stir. See how the sauce clings to every piece?

This is where you can make it your own. I sometimes add sautéed mushrooms. My grandson loves bell peppers in his. What would you add? A sprinkle of feta cheese? Tell me your idea.

Why This Meal Feels Special

This dish matters because it brings people together. It’s hearty and full of flavor. It makes an ordinary Tuesday feel like a small celebration. The mix of salty bacon, rich sausage, and herby pesto is just right.

It’s also a lesson in building flavors. Each step adds something. The browned meat. The starchy pasta water. The creamy cheese. They all work as a team. Do you have a family recipe that feels like a celebration?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Butter	2 tablespoons	For sauce
Flour	2 tablespoons	For sauce
Hot milk	1 ¼ cups	For sauce
Shredded Mozzarella cheese	¾ cup	For sauce
Pesto Sauce	½ cup	For sauce
Beef Kielbasa	14 ounces	Sliced, for meal
Bacon	5 strips	Sliced, for meal
Penne pasta	12 ounces	For meal
Cold water	3 cups	For meal
Diced tomatoes	15 ounces	For meal

My Cozy Pesto Pasta with a Sausage Surprise

Hello, my dear! Come sit at my kitchen table. I want to tell you about a wonderful pasta dish. It’s creamy, savory, and full of good things. I first made it for my grandson after his big soccer game. He cleaned his bowl and asked for more! Doesn’t that smell amazing when it all comes together?

It might look like a lot of steps, but it’s really just two parts. We make a simple, cheesy sauce in one pot. Then we cook everything else right in the same big pan! That’s my favorite kind of cooking. Less washing up means more time for stories. Are you ready? Let’s begin.

Step 1:

Let’s start with our creamy pesto sauce. Melt the butter in your saucepan. Stir in the flour until it looks like a wet paste. Cook it for two minutes, stirring the whole time. It should bubble a little but not turn brown. (My hard-learned tip: if it starts to brown, just take the pot off the heat for a moment!)

Step 2:

Now, slowly pour in the hot milk. Keep stirring! You’ll see it get thick and wonderful. Let it bubble once, then turn the heat down. Stir in the mozzarella cheese until it’s all melted and happy. Finally, mix in that glorious green pesto. Set this beautiful sauce aside for now.

Step 3:

Grab your big skillet. Cook the sliced bacon and kielbasa until they’re nicely browned. The sizzle is the best sound. I still laugh at how my dog waits right here. Pour out most of the grease, but leave the tasty bits in the pan.

Step 4:

Here’s the fun part! Add the dry penne pasta and three cups of cold water to that same skillet. Yes, right with the meat! Bring it to a boil and let it cook for ten minutes. The pasta soaks up all that meaty flavor. What’s your favorite pasta shape? Share below!

Step 5:

The water should be mostly gone now. Stir in the drained diced tomatoes. They add a lovely little freshness. Now, pour your waiting pesto sauce over everything in the skillet. Gently stir it all until every piece of pasta is coated. Oh, it looks so good!

Cook Time:	25 minutes
Total Time:	35 minutes
Yield:	4-5 servings
Category:	Dinner, Pasta

Three Fun Twists to Make It Yours

The best recipes are ones you can play with. This dish is like a friendly canvas. You can add so many things from your fridge or garden. Here are a few ideas that make me smile.

• Summer Garden Twist: Skip the meat. Add zucchini, bell peppers, and peas with the tomatoes.
• Spicy Kick Twist: Use spicy Italian sausage. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the pasta.
• Greek Island Twist: Swap the mozzarella for crumbled feta cheese at the very end. So tasty!

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

How to Serve Your Masterpiece

This pasta is a full meal in a bowl. But I love to add a little something on the side. A simple green salad with a lemony dressing is perfect. It cuts through the richness. Some garlic bread is never a wrong choice either. My family fights for the crusty ends.

For a drink, a fizzy lemonade is wonderful with this. For the grown-ups, a glass of chilled Pinot Grigio tastes lovely. It’s like a little vacation at the dinner table. Which would you choose tonight?

Storing Your Pesto Pasta for Later

Let’s talk about saving some for tomorrow. This pasta keeps well in the fridge. Just pop it in a sealed container. It will be good for about three days.

You can freeze it, too. I use freezer-safe bags. Squeeze out all the air first. It will last for two months that way.

Reheating is simple. Add a splash of milk or water to a pan. Warm it gently on the stove. Stir it often so the sauce stays creamy.

I once froze a whole batch for my grandson. He loved having a ready-made meal after school. Batch cooking saves busy days. It turns cooking once into eating twice!

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Pasta Problems

Sometimes our cooking needs a little help. Here are three common issues. First, a sauce that is too thick. Just stir in a little warm milk. This will make it silky again.

Second, pasta that sticks together. Always use plenty of water. I remember when my pasta became one big lump. Salting the water well helps keep it separate.

Third, meat that is not crispy. Do not crowd the pan. Cook your bacon and sausage in batches. This lets each piece get nice and brown.

Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence. It also makes your food taste so much better. Good flavor comes from these little details.

Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Pesto Pasta Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free penne. The sauce will work just fine.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. Make the sauce and cook the meat ahead. Combine everything when you are ready to eat.

Q: What if I don’t have kielbasa? A: Any smoked sausage will work. Chicken sausage is a tasty swap, too.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You sure can. Use a bigger pot for the pasta. *Fun fact: This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd.*

Q: Any other add-in ideas? A: Try fresh spinach. Stir it in at the end. It wilts perfectly in the warm pasta.

Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love this cozy pasta dish. It always makes my kitchen smell wonderful. I would love to see your version.

Did you add extra veggies or a different cheese? Please share your creation with me. It makes my day to see your cooking.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! You can find me at @AnnasCozyKitchen. I cannot wait to see your photos.

Happy cooking!
—Anna Whitmore.