Looking for a creamy Alfredo pasta with bacon? This easy turkey Alfredo pasta is a tasty way to use leftover turkey, and it comes together in one pan. Penne, peas, bacon, and Parmesan make it a cozy dinner the whole family can enjoy.
I had plenty of leftover turkey in the fridge, so I added it to my favorite Alfredo-style pasta. The result is a creamy turkey and bacon pasta that’s simple to make and full of flavor. You can use freshly cooked turkey, too, so there’s no need to wait for leftovers!
Ingredients for Turkey Bacon Alfredo Pasta
- Uncooked bacon
- Small onion
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- Fat-free half-and-half
- Uncooked penne pasta
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Leftover turkey
- Frozen peas
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
How to Make Turkey Bacon Alfredo Pasta
- Add the chopped bacon to a sauté pan over medium heat. Cook until crisp, then transfer it to a plate. Leave 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the pan and drain off the rest.
- Add the diced onion and cook until lightly browned. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth and half-and-half. Add the penne, salt, and pepper, then stir to combine. Cover the pan and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the turkey, cooked bacon, peas, and Parmesan. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until everything is hot and the cheese has melted.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let the pasta sit for about five minutes. The Alfredo sauce with bacon will thicken as it rests.
Is Pasta a Good Way to Use Leftover Turkey?
Absolutely! This turkey Alfredo pasta recipe uses a full pound of cubed turkey, and the creamy sauce gives leftover turkey a fresh, delicious flavor. Turkey breast works well, but you can use any cooked turkey you have on hand.
What Kind of Bacon Should I Use?
This recipe uses regular bacon, which adds a smoky, salty flavor to the sauce. If you want pasta with turkey bacon, swap in four slices of turkey bacon and cook them according to the package directions.
This recipe is different from pasta carbonara with turkey bacon. Carbonara typically has a different sauce, while this dish gets its creamy texture from half-and-half and Parmesan.
Tips for Creamy Alfredo Pasta with Bacon
Penne is a great choice for this recipe because the sauce clings to the pasta, and the short shape is easy to scoop up with turkey and peas. Fat-free half-and-half keeps the sauce creamy while making this a lighter bacon Alfredo penne.
Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoothly into the sauce. If you use pre-shredded cheese, the sauce may not be quite as smooth.
The sauce thickens as it sits, so let the pasta rest for about five minutes before serving. If it gets too thick, stir in a splash of chicken broth or half-and-half.
How Long Does Turkey Bacon Alfredo Last?
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
To reheat it, warm a portion in a saucepan over low heat and stir in a little broth or half-and-half to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring between each one. The sauce may thicken in the fridge, so add a splash of liquid as needed.
Freezing isn’t the best choice for this pasta. Creamy sauces can separate after thawing, and the pasta may turn soft.
Can I Make This Recipe with Chicken?
Yes! Swap the turkey for the same amount of cooked chicken. This easy change turns the recipe into chicken Alfredo with bacon.
Is Bacon Alfredo Keto?
This recipe uses pasta and peas, so it isn’t keto as written. For a lower-carb option, replace the penne with spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles. You can leave out the peas or swap them for chopped broccoli.
Learn How to Cook Spaghetti Squash for a simple pasta alternative. You can also try Easy Butternut Squash Noodles.
What to Serve with Turkey Alfredo Pasta
This turkey pasta Alfredo has peas in it, so you can serve it as a complete meal. A side salad or steamed broccoli is a nice addition, too.
Weight Watchers Points
The point estimates below use whole-grain pasta, fat-free half-and-half, turkey breast, and the lightest versions of the other ingredients. They don’t include dark turkey meat or skin.
- Purple: 4 points
- Blue: 8 points
- Green: 9 points
For a lighter meal, use butternut squash noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta. The estimated points are:
- Purple: 4 points
- Blue: 4 points
- Green: 5 points
This easy turkey Alfredo recipe is a simple way to turn leftover turkey into a filling dinner. Make it with regular bacon or try turkey bacon when you want a lighter swap.
Turkey Bacon Alfredo Pasta
Ingredients
- 4 slices uncooked bacon chopped
- 1 onion small diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 C chicken broth
- 1 C fat free half and half
- 2 1/4 C Penne pasta uncooked
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 Lb leftover turkey cubed
- 1 C peas frozen
- 2/3 C Parmesan cheese shredded
Directions
- Add the uncooked chopped bacon to a saute pan over medium heat.
- When the bacon has been fried transfer it to a plate, reserving 1 TBSP of bacon grease in the saucepan, Drain excess grease.
- Add the diced onion cooking until lightly browned. Carefully add the minced garlic, saute for 30 more seconds.
- Slowly pour in the broth, half and half, pasta, salt, and pepper. Stir. Cover, Bring the contents to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer until the pasta is cooked yet firm. (Al Dente)
- Add the chopped turkey, bacon, peas, and Parmesan Cheese. Stir to combine. Cover and continue to cook for 2-3 more minutes. (Or until it is warmed and the cheese has melted.)
- Remove from heat.
- Set aside to allow the sauce to thicken. (About 5 minutes)
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