Spinach Bacon Pasta
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of Spinach Bacon Pasta, a quick and hearty dish that combines smoky, crispy bacon with tender baby spinach and al dente spaghetti, all tossed in a creamy parmesan sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this comforting pasta comes together in just 30 minutes, making it a lifesaver for last-minute dinners. Infused with garlic and a hint of optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, the velvety sauce clings to every strand of spaghetti, delivering rich, savory bites in every forkful. Serve it piping hot, topped with extra parmesan or fresh parsley, for a restaurant-quality meal at home. Keywords: spinach bacon pasta, creamy pasta recipe, easy weeknight dinner, quick pasta dish, parmesan sauce recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 6 slices bacon
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 0.5 cup pasta water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, 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 to drain. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
In the same skillet, carefully drain most of the bacon grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. Add the olive oil and minced garlic, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the baby spinach to the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is wilted.
Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce is well combined and slightly thickened.
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat it in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Stir in the crumbled bacon and mix well. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Serve the Spinach Bacon Pasta hot, garnished with extra parmesan cheese or fresh parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
512 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 34.6 g | 44% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.3 g | 91% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 92 mg | 31% | |
| Sodium | 779 mg | 34% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 28.3 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.4 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.5 g | ||
| Protein | 17.5 g | 35% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 260 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 2.2 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 108 mg | 2% | |
*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.
