This one-pan Pearl Couscous with Bacon & Peas is cozy, creamy, and comes together in about 25 minutes. The couscous cooks right in the same pan the bacon crisps up in, soaking up all that savoury flavour, and the Gouda melts into a smooth, mellow sauce that coats every spoonful. The peas add a bit of brightness, the bacon brings a crisp, salty bite, and everything comes together quickly—no extra steps, no complicated ingredients. It’s simple, satisfying, and the kind of meal you’ll make once and then immediately add to your weeknight rotation.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe:

• Super quick and easy: You’ll only need one pan and less than 30 minutes! Perfect for weeknights.
• Comfort food classic: It’s cozy, creamy, and packed with familiar flavours that make it perfect for family dinner.
• Pop of veggies: Green peas add the perfect sweetness to every bite and cut through the richness of the gouda.
• Minimal cleanup: Everything comes together in one pan, so you’re not left with a pile of dishes when dinner’s done.

Prep for Pearl Couscous with Bacon & Peas:

There’s not much prep required for this one, but it helps to have all your ingredients out and ready to go before you start. The dish comes together fast, so having everything within reach makes it even easier.

• Chop up your bacon.
• Mince up the shallot and garlic.
• Freshly grate the Gouda (if you can, skip pre-shredded here for the creamiest texture).
• Take the peas out of the freezer so they can begin to thaw.

How to Make Pearl Couscous with Bacon & Peas:

Step One:

In a pan over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Remove and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve about 1 tbsp of the bacon fat in the pan.

Step Two:

Add 1 tbsp unsalted butter to the same pan and let it melt over medium-low heat. Add the minced shallot and garlic and sauté until the shallots are translucent, about 2 minutes.

Step Three:

Add the pearl couscous and stir for 2 minutes, until lightly toasted.

Step Four:

Pour in the chicken stock, bring to a bubble, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the couscous has absorbed the broth. If it doesn’t feel tender yet, add a splash of broth as needed to reach that perfect texture.

Step Five:

Turn off the heat, stir in the shredded Gouda until melted, then fold in the peas until warmed through. Taste and season with salt & black pepper as needed. Stir to combine and finish with the bacon on top.

Step Six:

Serve into bowls, optionally garnishing with parmesan and/or a squeeze of lemon.

Substitutions for Pearl Couscous with Bacon & Peas:

Pearl couscous: You’ll definitely want pearl couscous here, as classic semolina couscous won’t yield the right texture. If you can’t find pearl couscous, the small round pasta acini di pepe will work as a substitute. You might need to increase the amount of broth/cooking time to fully cook acini di pepe.

Bacon: Pancetta is a great alternative and adds a similar salty, savoury flavour. You can also skip it for a vegetarian version. Just use an extra tablespoon of butter or olive oil to toast the pearl couscous.

Shallot: ½ a yellow onion can be used instead of a shallot, but shallot has a more delicate flavour that I like for this dish.

Broth: Use whatever broth you have on hand. Chicken, beef, or bone broth all work well. Use a vegetable broth to keep it vegetarian.

Gouda: Any melty cheese works—Colby jack, Gruyere, cheddar—just make sure you grate it yourself so that it blends in smoothly, pre-shredded cheese has a starchy film on it that can get grainy when it melts.

Peas: Any small-chopped veggie can work in place of the peas. Try asparagus, broccoli, or zucchini. Steam the veggies first if not using frozen peas.

How to Store Pearl Couscous with Bacon & Peas:

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of broth or water to loosen it up, since the couscous will thicken as it sits.

This is such an easy one, and my toddler loved it too, so that’s a total win. Tag me on social if you try it out, @britacooks! I love seeing your recreations xx