Heavily salt boiling water and add in pasta of your choice. Cook until al dente. Reserve pasta water.
In a pan over medium heat, add just a splash of olive oil and then add the chopped bacon. Continue to cook until crisp and brown (about 3-4 minutes).
Add the chopped garlic and stir for another 2 minutes, being careful not to brown the garlic (lower the heat if it's getting too hot).
Add the peas and stir for another minute (stir for 2 more minutes if using fresh peas).
Add the al dente pasta directly into the pan with a cup of the starchy pasta water. Increase heat to medium-high and keep stirring until the sauce coats the pasta and the peas finish cooking.
Remove from the heat and add freshly chopped mint and a cup of grated parmesan and stir to combine.
Before serving add some more parmesan and black pepper.