Hay and Straw Pasta – Fettuccine with Bacon and Peas

Hay and Straw Pasta is a fan favorite in our family. Cooked fettuccine with bacon and peas gets smothered in a cheesy Parmesan sauce in this decadent dinner that comes together in a hurry.

Hay and Straw Pasta

Chances are you may have heard of hay and straw pasta before, but you may not know what it is or how delicious it tastes. Hay and straw pasta is a quick dinner made with fettuccine, peas, bacon and Parmesan.

The Parmesan cheese gets grated into melted butter and heavy whipping cream for the ultimate sauce, and the creamy sauce coats the fettuccine. Crispy fried bacon (or ham) and peas top the creamy pasta for a full meal.

Maybe that’s why the original owner of this recipe from my Heavenly Food from Our Holy Mountain Cook Book. I think all of those attributes qualifies it to be thought of as heavenly.

Fettuccine with Bacon and Peas

This pasta dish is a quick meal by my standards. While the fettuccine is cooking on the stove top, you can make the creamy sauce in a saucepan, and the peas will be cooking in the microwave.

I like to use the steamable bags for the microwave when making peas. It is so much easier and less dishes.  Cook the peas 30 seconds to a minute less than the directions call for. They will finish cooking in the hot sauce.

Why is it called Straw and Hay pasta?

You make straw and hay pasta typically with fettuccine pasta which comes in yellow and green varieties. Some versions of this dish use a combination of plain fettuccine (yellow) and spinach fettuccine (green). When cooked, this dish resembles straw and hay, and that is why it goes by the name hay and straw pasta.

Ingredient List for Fettuccine with Bacon and Peas

What do I need to make hay and straw pasta?

• Butter
• Fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
• Heavy Whipping Cream
• Ground Black Pepper (preferably freshly grated)
• Fettuccine, plain and/or spinach
• Frozen Peas
• Bacon
• Parsley, dried or fresh
• Ground Nutmeg (optional)

How to Make Straw and Hay Pasta?

Step by Step Directions

1. Fry and crumble bacon, set aside.
2. Cook fettuccine pasta to al dente.
3. At the same time, melt butter in a large saucepan; add grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Stir in heavy whipping cream and black pepper; warm, stirring constantly until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes thick.
5. Add cooked and drained fettuccine, cooked peas, fried bacon and parsley.  Toss.
6. Sprinkle with ground nutmeg, if desired.
7. Serve hot!

FAQS About Straw and Hay Pasta

• This decadent pasta dish features fettuccine, peas, bacon and Parmesan cheese.
• Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best results and creamiest sauce.
• Substitute cooked ham for bacon, if desired.
• Ground nutmeg is optional, but I highly recommend using it.
• For a extra pretty dish, use a combination of green and plain pasta. Green fettuccine is made with spinach.
• Cook the peas 30 seconds to 1 minute less than package instructions. This prevents the peas from getting over-cooked.
• Fresh or dried parsley can be used, or omit it completely.

How to Make a Healthy Straw and Hay Pasta?

To lighten up your hay and straw pasta recipe, try these easy substitutions and modifications.

• Use olive oil instead of butter.
• Try whole grain fettuccine instead of regular.
• Swap heavy whipping cream for half and half.
• Reduce the amount of grated Parmesan cheese.
• Add extra peas.
• Sprinkle with nutritional yeast for extra cheese flavor.
• Swap bacon for diced, low fat ham.

Easy Pasta Recipes

We love pasta recipe that we can get on the dinner table quickly like this ham and straw pasta. Check out some of our other quick and easy pasta dishes. If you want something with a bit more spice, try this Cajun Chicken Alfredo with Smoked Sausage recipe.

Spaghetti Pie 

Creamy Pasta with Ham and Peas 

10-Minute Easy Lemon Chicken Pasta

Greek Noodles

Kitchen Utensils

• Large Skillet or Cast Iron Pan
• Large pot
• Colander
• Spoonula
• Tongs