Save A rich and comforting pasta dish featuring silky garlic butter sauce, tossed with al dente pasta and finished with a golden, crispy bacon crumble for irresistible texture and flavor.
I first made this on a chilly weeknight when I wanted something quick yet special. The aroma of garlic and sizzling bacon instantly brought everyone to the kitchen, and there were no leftovers!
Ingredients
- Pasta: 400 g (14 oz) spaghetti or linguine, 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
- Bacon Crumble: 6 slices streaky bacon, chopped, 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Garlic Butter Sauce: 60 g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, 4 large garlic cloves, finely minced, 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional), 50 ml (1/4 cup) pasta cooking water, 30 g (1/4 cup) grated Parmesan cheese, salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Garnish: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, extra grated Parmesan, to serve
Instructions
- Boil Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Make Bacon Crumble:
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and fry until crispy and golden, about 6&8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Set aside.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce:
- In the same skillet, lower the heat and add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and chili flakes (if using). Sauté gently for 1&2 minutes until fragrant, but do not brown.
- Toss Pasta:
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter. Add 50 ml reserved pasta water and Parmesan, tossing until the sauce is silky and clings to the pasta. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Finish & Serve:
- Serve immediately, topped with crispy bacon crumble, chopped parsley, and extra Parmesan.
Save Whenever I serve this pasta, my family gathers eagerly around the table, and the sight of crispy bacon on top always gets big grins. It has become a favorite weekend comfort dish in our home.
Required Tools
Large pot, skillet or frying pan, tongs, colander, chefs knife and chopping board
Allergen Information
This dish contains wheat (gluten), milk (dairy), and pork. Parmesan may not be suitable for some vegetarian diets.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 560, Total Fat: 25 g, Carbohydrates: 62 g, Protein: 21 g
Save Enjoy the comforting richness of this pasta with friends or family. A sprinkle of extra Parmesan and fresh parsley makes each bite even better.
Recipe Questions
- → How do I achieve crispy bacon crumble?
Fry chopped bacon over medium heat without crowding the pan, allowing it to crisp evenly and drain on paper towels to remove excess fat.
- → Can I substitute the pasta type?
Yes, spaghetti or linguine works best, but any long pasta that holds sauce well can be used.
- → What is the purpose of reserving pasta water?
Reserved pasta water contains starch that helps bind the garlic butter sauce to the pasta, creating a smooth texture.
- → How to prevent garlic from burning?
Sauté garlic over low to medium heat and remove from direct heat as soon as it’s fragrant to avoid bitterness.
- → Can this be made vegetarian?
Yes, replace bacon with crispy fried mushrooms or toasted breadcrumbs for similar texture and flavor enhancement.