Why You’ll Love This Speck Linguini Recipe ❤️
- One-Pan Wonder: Minimal dishes, maximum flavour!
- Full of Rich, Smoky Goodness: Speck is like bacon but better—it’s cured, smoked, and packed with umami.
- Super Creamy Without Heavy Cream: Cream cheese creates a luscious, silky sauce without needing thickened cream.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a busy weekday or a special dinner, this dish always impresses.
- Easy to Customise: Add veggies, swap the protein, or tweak the spices—I’ll share some great variations below!
Watch me twirl up speck linguini—salty, smoky, and oh-so satisfying!
Best Ingredients to Use for Maximum Flavour 🛒
A great Speck Linguini starts with great ingredients! Here’s what I recommend:
🥓 Speck
Speck is like pancetta’s smokier cousin. It’s cured and lightly smoked, giving it a deep, savoury taste. For the best flavour, go for Berg Speck—it crisps up beautifully when fried!
🧄 Garlic & Red Onion
These aromatics form the flavour foundation. Stone Mill crushed garlic saves time, but if you’ve got fresh garlic, mince it yourself for an extra punch!
🍅 Cherry Tomatoes
A handful of The Good Stuff cherry tomatoes adds a touch of natural sweetness and acidity, balancing out the richness of the speck and cream cheese.
🧈 Butter
Using Pure Valley Butter creates a silky base for sautéing the speck and onions. Butter = flavour!
🍜 Linguini Pasta
I use Armando Linguine because it’s high-quality and holds sauce beautifully. If you prefer, you can swap it for fettuccine or spaghetti.
🧀 Cream Cheese
Instead of heavy cream, Westacre block cream cheese melts into the sauce, giving it a creamy, tangy richness.
🌿 Parsley
Finishing with fresh parsley adds a pop of colour and a herby freshness that balances the richness.
Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Speck Linguini 💡
- Don’t skip browning the speck! This is what gives the dish its deep, smoky flavour. Let it crisp up properly before adding onions.
- Use chicken stock instead of water to cook the pasta. This adds extra richness and infuses flavour directly into the linguini.
- Don’t overcook the pasta! Since it absorbs the stock while cooking, keep an eye on it to avoid mushy noodles. Aim for al dente.
- Blister the tomatoes well. Cooking them whole until they start bursting releases their natural sweetness into the sauce.
- Melt the cream cheese gently. Adding it in cubes and stirring slowly helps create a smooth, velvety sauce without clumps.
- Season at the end. Since speck and stock are salty, taste before adding extra salt.
What to Serve with Speck Linguini 🍷
This Speck Linguini is rich and creamy, so pair it with something light and refreshing to balance it out. Here are some ideas:
- Side Salad: A simple rocket and parmesan salad with balsamic dressing cuts through the creaminess.
- Wine Pairing: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Noir complements the smoky speck and creamy sauce beautifully.
- Garlic Bread: Because more carbs are always a good idea.
- Steamed Veggies: Lightly steamed asparagus, green beans, or zucchini add freshness to the meal.
Storage & Reheating Instructions 📦
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Here’s how to store and reheat Speck Linguini properly:
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended—the creamy sauce can separate when thawed.
- Reheat: Add a splash of milk or stock and heat in a pan over low heat, stirring gently. Avoid microwaving—it can make the pasta dry and clumpy
Other Pasta Recipes to Try 🍽️
If you loved this Speck Linguini, here are some more delicious recipes you should try:
Final Thoughts – Let’s Get Cooking! 👩🍳
This Speck Linguini is a true crowd-pleaser—easy, flavour-packed, and made with simple ingredients that come together beautifully. Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or a special meal for guests, this creamy, smoky pasta will never disappoint.
If you make this recipe, snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @steph_cooks_stuff — I’d love to see your delicious creations!
Happy cooking and enjoy your Speck Linguini! 🍝💛
Speck Linguini
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 5 1x
Description
Creamy Speck Linguine – Fast, Flavorful & One Pan! 🍝✨
Craving a fast pasta dish that’s rich, creamy, and packed with flavor? This one-pan creamy speck linguine is your answer! 🧄🔥 With crispy speck, caramelized onions, and a velvety cream cheese sauce, it’s the perfect blend of indulgence and ease.
Thanks to ALDI, this dish is not only delicious but also budget-friendly! Their high-quality ingredients—like smooth cream cheese and savory speck—elevate this simple meal into something special. 🙌
The best part? One pan, minimal cleanup, and ready in under 30 minutes! Just simmer everything together, and you’ll have a silky, satisfying pasta that tastes like it came from your favorite Italian spot. 🍽️✨
Whether it’s a cozy dinner at home or a quick meal for guests, this fast pasta will have everyone coming back for seconds. Who’s ready to dig in? 😍
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Pure Valley Butter
- 200gm Berg Speck (diced)
- 1 Red Onion (diced)
- 1 tsp Stone Mill crushed Garlic
- Handful of The Good Stuff Cherry Tomatoes
- 1L Chefs’ Cupboard Chicken Stock
- 500gm Armando Linguine
- Stone Mill Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- 225gm Westacre block Cream Cheese
- 1 cup The Good Stuff Parsley leaves
Instructions
- Remove the skin of the Speck and dice it into little cubes.
- In a high sided frying pan, add the Butter to melt at a medium heat. Add the Speck and let it cook till it’s nice and brown.
- While the Speck is cooking, chop the Onions and add it to the frying pan and give it a good mix.
- Add the Garlic and give it a good mix. Cook the Garlic off for about 30 seconds and add whole Cherry Tomatoes. Keep sautéing until Tomatoes begin to blister.
- Pour in the Chicken Stock and give it a good stir to scrape off all the brown bits from the pan.
- Bring it to the boil then add in the dried Pasta, bring it to a boil and then reduce it to medium heat. Cook it for 8-10 minutes until the Pasta has almost softened and the Stock has reduced by at least half – this will happen at the same time.
- Add the block of Cream Cheese continuing to stir until it has fully melted through
- Add Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- Sauce should be a silky-smooth thick consistency and the pasta cooked through
- Plate up for 4-5 people to enjoy. Finish it off with a sprinkle of chopped Parsley Leaves.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Bacon works well, but speck has a stronger, smokier taste. If using bacon, go for streaky bacon for the best flavour.
Absolutely! Swap the speck for mushrooms or smoked tofu, and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
You can use mascarpone for a richer taste or Greek yoghurt for a lighter option.