Pasta with Green Asparagus, Crispy Bacon, and Garlic Oil
This delightful dish combines the freshness of green asparagus with the savory crunch of crispy bacon, all tossed in aromatic garlic oil. Perfect for a quick and delicious dinner, it’s a meal that brings joy to every bite.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 300g (10.5 oz) pasta (such as fettuccine or tagliatelle)
- 200g (7 oz) green asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 150g (5.3 oz) bacon or pancetta, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 60ml (1/4 cup) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 50g (1.75 oz) grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for brightness)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a generous pinch of salt, and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes).
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the diced bacon and fry for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally for even cooking.
- Add the minced garlic to the pan with the bacon and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic as it can become bitter.
- Now add the asparagus pieces to the pan and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until tender but still crisp, stirring occasionally for even cooking.
- Once the pasta is al dente, drain it but reserve a cup of the pasta water. Add the pasta directly to the pan with the bacon and asparagus and mix everything well.
- If the mixture seems a bit dry, add some of the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce, ensuring the pasta is well coated with the oil and flavors.
- Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to taste. Finally, stir in the grated Parmesan and let it melt. Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Avoid overcooking the pasta; it should be al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy when mixed with other ingredients. A large pan is essential to ensure all ingredients mix well, and a non-stick pan makes for easier cleanup.