Creamy Bacon & Spinach Pasta with Parmesan

A comforting Italian-inspired pasta dish with bacon, spinach, and a creamy sauce.

Creamy Bacon & Spinach Pasta with Parmesan

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta is cooking, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside, reserving 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add olive oil and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté over medium-low heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Add spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
  6. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes to thicken slightly. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
  7. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and toss to coat.
  8. Stir in half of the grated Parmesan cheese and toss again.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with the crumbled bacon and remaining Parmesan cheese.

Cuisine: Italian

Suitability:

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 25 mins

Serving Size: 3

Meal Type: dinner