Pasta with Bacon and Spinach
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy Pasta with Bacon and Spinach recipe, a perfect balance of rich, savory flavors and fresh greens. Al dente pasta is tossed in a luxuriously smooth Parmesan cream sauce infused with garlic and crispy bacon, creating an irresistible base for nutrient-packed spinach. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish combines convenience with gourmet taste, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or casual dinner gatherings. Customize it with a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick or extra Parmesan for added decadence. Serve it hot, and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal right at home! Targeting foodies searching for "easy pasta recipes," "creamy spinach pasta," and "bacon dinner ideas," this recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Pasta (e.g., spaghetti or penne)
- 6 slices Bacon
- 6 cups Fresh spinach
- 3 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 0.25 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 quarts Water for boiling pasta
Instructions
Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
In the same skillet, remove excess bacon fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet and heat over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the heavy cream to the skillet. Stir well to combine with the garlic and bacon fat.
Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce becomes creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of the reserved pasta water to achieve the desired consistency.
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it in the sauce. Stir in the crumbled bacon, and season with black pepper and red pepper flakes (if desired). Adjust salt to taste.
Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2194 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 152.1 g | 195% | |
| Saturated Fat | 74.6 g | 373% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 368 mg | 123% | |
| Sodium | 4748 mg | 206% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 116.0 g | 42% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 11.0 g | 39% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.0 g | ||
| Protein | 72.9 g | 146% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 1099 mg | 85% | |
| Iron | 10.0 mg | 56% | |
| Potassium | 442 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
