Spinach and Garlic Penne Pasta with Bacon
Indulge in the creamy, savory delight of Spinach and Garlic Penne Pasta with Bacon—a dish that strikes the perfect balance between hearty comfort food and vibrant flavors. This quick and easy recipe features al dente penne pasta tossed in a luscious garlic and Parmesan cream sauce, elevated by the smoky crunch of crispy bacon and the fresh, earthy goodness of baby spinach. A hint of red pepper flakes adds just the right touch of warmth. With a prep time of just 10 minutes and a 20-minute cooking time, this one-pan wonder is ideal for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Serve it hot with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan, and watch it disappear from the table!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 350 g penne pasta
- 6 slices bacon
- 150 g baby spinach
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 120 ml heavy cream
- 50 g grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
- 120 ml pasta cooking water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 120 ml of the pasta cooking water and drain the pasta. Set the pasta aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until crispy, flipping occasionally, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble the bacon into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
In the same skillet, carefully remove excess bacon grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet, allowing the butter to melt.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
Stir in the baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
Pour in the heavy cream and the reserved pasta cooking water. Stir to combine and cook for 2 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
Reduce the heat to low and add the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
Add the cooked penne pasta and crumbled bacon to the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
Remove from heat and drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the pasta for extra richness. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2598 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 129.3 g | 166% | |
| Saturated Fat | 56.9 g | 284% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 283 mg | 94% | |
| Sodium | 3142 mg | 137% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 267.8 g | 97% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.0 g | 61% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.3 g | ||
| Protein | 84.8 g | 170% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 731 mg | 56% | |
| Iron | 18.5 mg | 103% | |
| Potassium | 1025 mg | 22% | |
*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.
