Spicy Bacon Broccoli Orecchiette - Serving Dumplings

Ingredients

• 8 ½ ounces orecchiette
• salt (to taste)
• 1 small broccoli head (chopped into bite-sized pieces)
• 7 ounces bacon bits
• 1 brown onion (diced)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp gochujang paste (more or less to taste)
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• freshly ground black pepper (for serving)