Quick and Creamy Pasta Carbonara

Ingredients

• 3 cups rigatoni pasta
• 6 bacon strips, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh green peas
• 1/4 cup diced cooked ham

Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 13 minutes. Drain.

Meanwhile, place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving drippings in pan; set bacon aside.

Cook and stir garlic in the remaining bacon grease over medium heat. Add milk, cream cheese, and butter to skillet; stir until smooth. Stir Parmesan cheese, peas, ham, and bacon into cream cheese mixture; cook until peas are heated through, about 5 minutes more. Mix pasta into sauce to serve.