Easy Garlic Bacon Pasta Recipe
User Reviews
4.3
-
Prep Time
2 mins
-
Cook Time
8 mins
-
Total Time
10 mins
-
Servings
4
-
Calories
631 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
Italian
Easy Garlic Bacon Pasta Recipe
Description
The Easy Garlic Bacon Pasta Recipe starts by cooking dried spaghetti in salted boiling water until nearly al dente, then reserving pasta water. Thick-cut bacon diced into small pieces is fried in olive oil until crisp, imparting rich pork fat flavor to the pan. Sliced garlic is gently cooked in the bacon fat and additional olive oil until softened but not browned, then pasta water is added to create a light sauce base.
Afterward, the cooked spaghetti is combined with the garlic-bacon oil mixture, allowing the starchy water to bind the sauce to the noodles. Fresh chopped parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese are sprinkled on top as garnish and for added freshness and umami. The dish balances the saltiness and fattiness of bacon with pungent garlic and bright herbs.
Serve as a satisfying main dish or side, ideal for those who prefer strong garlic and bacon flavors in their pasta. Adjust garlic quantity to taste, and select smoked, flavorful bacon with good fat content for optimal sauce richness. This pasta makes for a comforting yet straightforward meal.
Use bacon with enough fat and flavor; streaky smoked bacon is preferred. Olive oil amount may vary depending on bacon fat rendered. Garlic amount is flexible; increase if you prefer more pungency. The recipe suggests 6 cloves, but more can be added. Cook garlic carefully to avoid coloring. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 lb spaghetti dried
- 10-12 trips Bacon see note 1, thick cut
- 3 tablespoon olive oil (see note 2)
- 6 garlic see note 3, large cloves
- parsley garnish, chopped, fresh
- Parmesan Cheese garnish, freshly grated
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the salt and cook the pasta for 1 minute less than the packet suggests.1 tbsp / 1 ½ tablespoon salt1 lb / 450 g dried spaghetti
- Once the pasta is cooked reserve 2 ½ cups of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
Whilst the Pasta is Cooking
- Chop the bacon into smallish dice, add a tablespoon of the olive oil to a frying pan then cook the bacon over medium high for 4-5 minutes until crispy.10-12 strips / 8 thick cut bacon
- Whilst the bacon is cooking peel and thinly slice the garlic.6 / 7 large garlic cloves
- Once the bacon is crisp, remove it from the pan using a slotted spoon, leaving the oil and bacon grease behind.
- Reduce the heat under the pan and add the remaining olive oil (see note )and the sliced garlic. Stir constantly for 2 minutes and as soon as the garlic has softened but not yet colored, add ½ cup of the pasta cooking water and turn the heat back up.3 tbsp / 60 ml olive oil
- Boil this mixture for a minute then add in the now drained pasta, keeping the frying pan on the heat.
- Add a further ½ cup of pasta water and toss and stir the pasta in the sauce until it is cooked to your liking. You might need to add more pasta water.
- Once your garlic 'sauce' has coated the pasta, add the cooked bacon and any collected juices back into the pasta then season to taste. (Depending on the saltiness of your bacon you might need salt, but it will definitely want some pepper)
- Serve garnished with fresh parsley and grated parmesan. freshly grated Parmesan cheese chopped fresh parsley
Notes
- Select bacon with good fat content and strong flavor; smoked streaky bacon works best.
- Adjust olive oil quantity according to how fatty your bacon is, less if bacon renders enough fat.
- Garlic amount can be increased beyond 6 cloves if a stronger garlic flavor is desired.
- Cook garlic gently to soften without browning to avoid bitterness.
- Reserve pasta water to help bind the sauce and adjust its consistency.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 631 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 631kcal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 87g | 29% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 23g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 29mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 715mg | 30% |
| Potassium | 361mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 15IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1.7mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 33mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1.8mg | 10% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.3
You'll Also Love
