Stovetop Macaroni, Peas, Bacon, and Cheese à la Jamie Oliver

1. Cook Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve a cup of the cooking water and drain the rest.

2. Cook Bacon

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon to the skillet and cook until crispy and golden. Remove bacon from the pan and set aside, keeping the fat in the skillet.

3. Cook Peas

In the same skillet, add peas. Stir in the bacon fat until they're bright green and tender, which should take a few minutes.

4. Combine Macaroni and Peas

Return the cooked macaroni to the skillet with the peas. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water to help the sauce come together.

5. Add Cheese

Stir in a generous handful of grated cheese. The heat from the pasta and the skillet will melt the cheese, creating a creamy sauce. Add more pasta water if needed to reach the desired consistency.

6. Finish and Serve

Sprinkle the crispy bacon over the top and give everything one last gentle stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve hot.