Pasta with Sour Cream Sauce

This easy pasta with sour cream sauce combines crispy bacon, butter and tangy sour cream for a creamy, comforting supper in just 35 minutes.

Sometimes supper starts with me standing in front of the open refrigerator, wondering what I can make out of a little of this and a little of that. And sometimes that turns into a recipe that the Southern husband asks me to make again. This pasta with sour cream sauce is one of those happy little fridge discoveries!

I had some sour cream, a few scallions, butter and, of course, bacon. There is almost always bacon in my refrigerator. 😊 Toss those goodies with hot pasta and you get a creamy, buttery sauce with a little tang from the sour cream and plenty of crispy bacon in every bite.

A sprinkle of poppy seeds adds a little crunch, and just like that, supper is ready. No separate sauce to fuss over, just a cozy bowl of pasta made with things you might already have on hand. Those are my favorite kinds of kitchen surprises!

Jump to:

• 🔎 A quick look at this recipe
• ⭐️ Why this recipe works
• 🥓 Ingredients you need
• 📝 Ingredient notes
• 💡 Ingredient substitution ideas
• 👩🏻‍🍳 How to make this recipe
• 🤔 Recipe FAQs
• 🍽️ What to serve with this recipe
• Pasta with Sour Cream Sauce
• 💫 Easy variations
• 😍 Other pasta and bacon recipes we love
• 😃 Could you leave us a review?
• 🥣 Come on into our kitchen!

🔎 A quick look at this recipe

⭐️ Why this recipe works

• 🧈 An easy, creamy sauce: Butter and sour cream mingle with the hot pasta to make a silky sauce without a separate saucepan.
• 🥓 Big flavor from simple ingredients: Crispy bacon adds a smoky, salty bite that pairs beautifully with the tangy sour cream.
• 🌿 A little freshness and crunch: Scallions brighten things up, while poppy seeds add a delicate crunch.
• ⏰ Weeknight friendly: Just six ingredients and 35 minutes stand between you and a cozy pasta supper!

🥓 Ingredients you need

📝 Ingredient notes

• Pasta: Short pasta shapes like penne, bowties, elbows or my favorite, campanelle, are perfect for catching this creamy sauce.
• Bacon: Thick-cut bacon gives you hearty, crispy bites, but regular bacon works beautifully too. Drain off the bacon drippings before adding the cooked bacon to your pasta.
• Butter: Let your butter soften to room temperature so it melts easily into the hot pasta.
• Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream makes the richest sauce, but low-fat will also work. Skip fat-free for this one. Bring it to room temperature so it blends into the pasta more easily.
• Scallions: These add a little fresh onion flavor to balance the creamy sauce. Use both the white and green parts, trimming off the roots. If scallions aren’t your thing, swap in a little chopped fresh parsley or leave them out.
• Poppy Seeds: These add a delicate crunch, but they are optional—your pasta will still be delicious without them!

💡 Ingredient substitution ideas

Missing something or want to swap in something different? Check out the links below to find more ingredient substitution ideas. 👇🏻

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.

👩🏻‍🍳 How to make this recipe

STEP 1: Bring your butter and sour cream to room temperature. Cook the chopped bacon in a skillet until crispy, then transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

STEP 2: Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Before draining, scoop out about ½ cup of the pasta cooking water and set it aside. Drain the pasta and return it to the hot pasta pot.

STEP 3: With the heat off, gently stir the butter and sour cream into the hot pasta until the butter melts and everything is combined. If needed, use the lowest heat setting briefly, stirring constantly—don’t let the sauce boil. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if you’d like a looser sauce.

STEP 4: Stir in the crispy bacon, sliced scallions (or a little chopped parsley) and optional poppy seeds. Serve right away, on warmed plates if you like!

I dished mine into warmed plates, and for the next little while the only sound in our house was “Mmmmmmmm.”  Creamy, dreamy, tangy pasta deliciousness.

🤔 Recipe FAQs

🍽️ What to serve with this recipe

We love a green veggie alongside this creamy pasta! Try our asparagus with Parmesan breadcrumb sauce, or keep things simple with roasted green beans or some carrots with thyme..

And for dessert? A slice of jam cake makes a sweet finish—and helps use up another little something from the fridge! 😊

Let’s grab that sour cream and turn it into a creamy, bacon-filled pasta supper!

💫 Easy variations

• 🫛 Add some veggies: Stir in cooked peas, sautéed mushrooms or a handful of baby spinach. Add the spinach with the sauce so it wilts into the hot pasta.
• 🍗 Make it a little heartier: Add some cooked shredded chicken or cooked shrimp when you stir in the bacon.
• 🌿 Switch up the herbs: Swap the scallions for chopped fresh parsley or chives.
• 🌶️ Give it a little kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a gentle hint of heat.

😍 Other pasta and bacon recipes we love

Looking for even more pasta inspiration? Here is our complete collection of pasta (and pizza!) recipes!

😃 Could you leave us a review?

If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section below.

🥣 Come on into our kitchen!

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