Creamy Pasta with Asparagus & Bacon
This rich and comforting pasta dish combines tender bow tie pasta with a luxurious cream sauce, vibrant asparagus, and crispy bacon. Topped with toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley, this dish is perfect for both casual dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
- 4 oz bow tie pasta
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 clove garlic finely minced
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp chicken soup base e.g., L.B. Jamison
- ⅔ cup heavy cream
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 6 thin asparagus spears diagonally cut into 2" pieces, blanched
- 3 strips bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- Additional Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Cook 4 oz bow tie pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, blanch 6 asparagus spears in a small pot of boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Drain and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain again and set aside.
- Cook 3 strips of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 7-10 minutes.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble the bacon into small pieces. Set aside.
- In a 9" skillet, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Add 1 clove minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1 tsp chicken soup base until well blended.
- Slowly add ⅔ cup heavy cream, stirring to create a smooth, creamy sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the cream sauce, tossing to coat.
- Gently fold in the blanched asparagus pieces.
- Sprinkle the crumbled bacon and 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts over the pasta.
- Garnish with 1 tbsp chopped parsley and an additional sprinkling of Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Substitute bacon with pancetta or prosciutto for a different flavor, or omit for a vegetarian option. Try other herbs like basil or chives for garnish.
Nutrition
Serving: 350gCalories: 520kcal
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