---
title: Creamy Asparagus & Bacon Pasta Bake
source: {name: HelloFresh, url: https://www.hellofresh.com/recipes/creamy-asparagus-bacon-pasta-bake-659d962b145e14b9dce09051}
servings: 2
prep_time: 10 minutes
cook_time: 25 minutes
time_required: 35 minutes
difficulty: Medium
allergens:
- Wheat
- Milk
tags:
- Italian
- Comfort Food
- Oven-Baked
- Family Style
rating: 4.5
rating_count: 1800
source_chef: Michelle Doll Olson
review_highlights:
- theme: Flavor
  text: Many loved the creamy lemon sauce with bacon and asparagus
- theme: Texture
  text: Customers enjoyed the crunchy bacon and tender asparagus
image: "data/recipes/creamy-asparagus-bacon-pasta-bake.jpg"
---
@bacon{4%strips}
@penne pasta{6%oz}
@asparagus{8%oz}
@onion{1%unit}
@garlic{2%cloves}
@lemon{1%unit}
@chicken stock concentrate{1%unit}
@sour cream{2%tbsp}
@cream sauce base{1%unit}
@parmesan cheese{⅓%cup}
@cooking oil{2%tbsp}

Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Coat an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place bacon on a baking sheet and roast on top rack until crispy ~{12%minutes}. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and roughly chop once cool enough to handle.

Once water is boiling, add penne pasta to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente ~{10%minutes}. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain.

While pasta cooks, trim and discard woody bottom ends from asparagus; cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Halve, peel, and finely dice onion. Peel and mince garlic. Zest and quarter lemon.

Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add asparagus and onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until lightly browned and tender ~{5%minutes}. Add garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant ~{45%seconds} more.

Return drained penne pasta to empty pot; add cooked veggies and half the chopped bacon. Add chicken stock concentrate, sour cream, cream sauce base, juice from half the lemon, and a pinch of lemon zest. Stir to combine, adding splashes of reserved pasta cooking water as needed until everything is coated in a creamy sauce.

Transfer pasta mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with parmesan cheese. Bake on top rack until cheese melts ~{4%minutes}. Sprinkle with remaining chopped bacon.

Let pasta bake rest ~{5%minutes} before serving. Serve family style directly from baking dish with remaining lemon wedges on the side.