Zucchini Bacon Pasta Toss
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this irresistible Zucchini Bacon Pasta Toss, a quick and flavorful combination of tender pasta, crispy bacon, and fresh zucchini. Ready in just 35 minutes, this recipe balances savory and vibrant flavors, enhanced by a touch of garlic and a hint of optional red pepper flakes for spice lovers. A light Parmesan-infused sauce ties everything together, creating a dish that's both comforting and refreshingly bright. Perfect for those looking to incorporate seasonal vegetables like zucchini in a crowd-pleasing meal, this easy pasta toss is ideal for busy days yet impressive enough for special occasions. Garnish with parsley for a pop of color and freshness, and share the joy of this deliciously simple treat!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (such as spaghetti or penne)
- 2 medium zucchini
- 6 slices bacon
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, slice the zucchini into thin rounds or half-moons, depending on your preference. Mince the garlic cloves.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
Discard most of the bacon fat from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add the olive oil to the skillet and heat over medium heat.
Add the zucchini slices to the skillet with a pinch of salt and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender and slightly golden in spots.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. If desired, sprinkle in red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
Reduce the heat to low. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the crumbled bacon and half of the Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together gently, adding splashes of the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the mixture and create a light sauce.
Season to taste with additional salt and black pepper. Adjust flavors as needed.
Serve the pasta warm, topped with the remaining Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1401 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 73.9 g | 95% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.1 g | 136% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 128 mg | 42% | |
| Sodium | 8262 mg | 359% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 119.5 g | 43% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.6 g | 31% | |
| Total Sugars | 30.1 g | ||
| Protein | 70.2 g | 140% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 999 mg | 77% | |
| Iron | 5.6 mg | 31% | |
| Potassium | 1264 mg | 27% | |
*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.
