Description

Look, I’m not gonna lie to you — this is NOT health food. This is straight-up comfort food gold that happens when you throw the holy trinity of protein (shrimp, sausage, bacon) into a pan with pasta and enough cheese to make your lactose-intolerant friend weep with envy. It’s the kind of dish that makes you forget your New Year’s resolutions and remember why carbs are actually a gift from the universe. My neighbor asked for the recipe after smelling it through the walls. True story.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pasta:

12 oz penne or rigatoni (go for the good stuff)
Salt for pasta water

For the Protein Party:

4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
8 oz Italian sausage, casings removed
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt + pepper to taste

For the Flavor Base:

1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup white wine (or chicken broth if you’re being responsible)
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to your heat tolerance)

For the Cheese Situation:

1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
2 tbsp cream cheese (trust me on this one)

For Finishing:

Fresh parsley, chopped
Extra parmesan for the cheese addicts
Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Get That Pasta Going

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Set aside.

Step 2: Bacon Magic

In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy (about 5-6 minutes). Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave about 2 tbsp of bacon fat in the pan — this is liquid gold, people.

Step 3: Sausage Time

Add the sausage to the same pan, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove and set aside with the bacon.

Step 4: Shrimp Show

Season shrimp with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In the same pan (noticing a pattern here?), cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

Step 5: Build the Base

Add diced onion to the pan and sauté until softened (about 3-4 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Pour in the wine (or broth) and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add diced tomatoes, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3-4 minutes.

Step 6: Cream Dream

Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream and cream cheese, whisking until smooth. Add parmesan and mozzarella, stirring until melted and creamy.

Step 7: The Grand Finale

Return bacon, sausage, and shrimp to the pan. Add cooked pasta and toss everything together. If it looks too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach creamy perfection.

Taste and adjust seasoning — more cheese? More heat? You’re the boss.

Step 8: Serve and Bask in Glory

Plate it up and top with fresh parsley and extra parmesan. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

Serve with a crisp Caesar salad to cut through all that richness.

Garlic bread is basically mandatory here.

A nice Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay pairs beautifully.

Have napkins ready — this gets messy in the best way.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes

Nutrition

Calories: ~650 kcal
Carbohydrates: ~45g
Protein: ~42g