Bacon and Chicken Pesto Pasta

Take this as your sign to whip-up a Bacon and Chicken Pesto Pasta dish for your hectic weeknights! This dish is the ultimate savior – a quick and delightful solution that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas!

Welcome back to Merry About Town – my little slice of the internet where I share my best recipes, all in hopes to help YOU out during your busiest days!

I totally get it: all we need to get us through a busy week is a good comfort meal that doesn’t take hours to prepare. This is why I’ve decided to share how to make my famous Bacon and Pesto Pasta dish. It strikes the perfect balance between homemade goodness and time-saving shortcuts.

Do I Have to Make My Own Pesto for This Recipe?

Great news! For this particular recipe, you’ll be embracing the convenience of store-bought pesto without sacrificing flavor – because in the realm of delicious meals, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking a few shortcuts. I tend to opt for store-bought pesto whenever possible because it really is a time-saver and very budget-friendly.

 What is Pesto, Exactly?

Pesto is a flavorful Italian sauce typically made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. It’s often used for pasta, but is a versatile condiment that can be added to many other dishes.

Don’t forget: I’ve got tons of recipes using pesto, so if you decide to buy a jar, you’ll have plenty to do with it!

Take the Easy Route for Your Bacon

Remember how we recommended going for store-bought pesto? Well, why not do the same for your bacon? There are options out there to get pre-cooked bacon, and there’s no shame in the game! Remember: you want to make your life easier, and this is what this recipe is for!

What Ingredients Do I Need to Make Bacon and Chicken Pesto Pasta?

Alright, so you’re ready to make this pesto pasta dish?! Be sure to gather the following ingredients before starting. Don’t worry about the measurements… just scroll down to the bottom of this post, and you’ll get the full details on the recipe card.

This is what you’ll need:

• Dry penne pasta
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Pest
• Leftover chicken
• Cooked bacon
• Parmesan cheese

How to Make Bacon and Chicken Pesto Pasta

Begin by boiling your penne pasta according to its package’s instructions.

Once the penne is cooked, drain and set aside.

Next, set a cast iron pan on your stove and heat it on medium, adding extra virgin olive oil and pesto to the pan.

In the meantime, cut your chicken and bacon into small bite-sized pieces.

Once the oil has heated, add cooked pasta into the pan and coat with the penne and oil.

Once the penne is coated, add your chicken and bacon and fold into the pan of pasta. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Serve on individual plates and top each one with parmesan cheese, if desired.

For more easy recipes, be sure to browse my roster of delicious food creations here. Happy eating!