🥓 Bacon & Walnut Penne with Cream Cheese & Thyme

Ingredients

• •1 pound fresh penne pasta
• •½ pound lean bacon, cut into thin strips
• •4 small cloves garlic
• •½ cup shelled walnuts, finely chopped
• •⅓ cup soft cream cheese
• •⅓ cup half-and-half
• •2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
• •1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• •Small pinch of salt
• •Large pinch of freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. 1

   Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook until just tender, stirring occasionally. Drain and set aside.

2. 2

   Prepare sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and garlic, and sauté for about 5 minutes, until bacon is browned and crisp. Remove and discard garlic.

3. 3

   Make it creamy: Lower the heat and stir in cream cheese, mashing gently until it begins to melt. Add half-and-half, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir gently until the sauce thickens slightly.

4. 4

   Combine: Return drained pasta to the pot. Pour in the sauce and add chopped walnuts. Toss well to coat.

5. 5

   Serve hot.