20-Minute Creamy Bacon and Spinach Pasta
A quick and delicious pasta dish featuring crispy bacon, fresh spinach, and a creamy sauce, ready in just 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (penne, linguine, or fettuccine)
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Optional: red pepper flakes, lemon zest, chopped fresh herbs (parsley or basil)
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sizzle the Bacon: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add bacon, and cook until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Garlic and Spinach: In the same pan, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds. Add spinach and stir until wilted.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in heavy cream and a splash of reserved pasta water, stirring until it simmers.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta and bacon back to the skillet, toss to coat, and stir in Parmesan cheese. Adjust creaminess with more reserved pasta water as needed, season with salt and pepper.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use plant-based cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Find it online: https://us.recipesfood.org/20-minute-bacon-spinach-pasta/
