22 July 2011

Asparagus, Spinach, and Bacon Pasta


This pasta is so yum! I got this recipe from one of my Cooking Light magazines back in 2007. I'm not usually a fan of real bacon and typically opt for the turkey bacon kind. But you have to go all out for this recipe because the bacon grease that is left behind is essential for bringing the flavors of the pasta together. Asparagus is my all-time favorite vegetable and this recipe really does it justice. Make this next week and you won't be sorry you did!

Asparagus, Spinach, and Bacon Pasta
Serves 4

8 ounces uncooked pasta of your choice (I used farfalle)
2 bacon slices 
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion 
2 1/2 cups (1-inch) slices asparagus (about 1 pound) 
1 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth 
4 cups bagged baby spinach leaves 
1/2 cup (2 ounces) fresh Parmesan cheese, shredded and divided 
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
 
Cook pasta according to the package directions.Drain; keep warm.

Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; crumble. Add onion to drippings in pan; sauté 1 minute. Add asparagus and broth to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Add pasta, spinach, 1/4 cup cheese, and pepper to pan; toss well. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese and bacon.


What is your favorite vegetable? 
If you don't have one...why didn't your momma tell you to eat your veggies?!




29 comments:

  1. Oh, holy yum :) I've been eating a LOT of pasta lately (which I am validating with marathon training, heh), and I am totally adding this into my rotation! Asparagus is one of my favorite veggies, but I'm also a fan of corn on the cob & broccoli!

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  2. Mmm looks delicious! I love the way asparagus tastes (hubby will only eat the tips...), but I hate the...side effects...of eating it. Gross!

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  3. Delicious! I agree, sometimes you just have to splurge on the real bacon! My favorite veggie is brussel sprouts - I've recently rediscovered them (after thinking they were gross for ages) and LOVE them!

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  4. you had be at bacon...I don't even need to see the rest of the ingredients

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  5. This recipe looks so tasty and light, i wanna try it! Perfect for summertime!
    xoxo
    S
    http://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.com/

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  6. i wish you were my personal chef.

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  7. My husband and I will devour pretty much anything with bacon in it. This is sure to be a hit at our house!

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  8. this looks delicious. then again I'm huge on bacon, anything bacon is good in my books, haha! if only it isn't so unhealthy!!

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  9. that look delicious!!!! I mist try it!

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  10. 3 of my favorite ingredients!! So yummy!! Thanks for the recipe, can't wait to try this one. :)

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  11. oooo yum!
    parmesan's a vegetable, right?

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  12. yum! this pasta dish looks super delicious and veggies i love spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, really been loving asparagus recently although i always hated it growing up. it is great when it is grilled! the veggies i don't like are tomatoes and bell peppers (all colors)

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  13. This looks SO good. Maybe I'll make it for my family this weekend... :)

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  14. Mmmmm....oh ok, I try not to leave one-word comments and this looks so good. Shame I've just had dinner ;-) Have a lovely weekend xo

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  15. oooh i love the bowtie pasta...love all the colours too!

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  16. i've said it a million times before, i don't cook, my husband does. he literally catches me eating an entire tomato, then toast, then rolled up sandwich meat instead of just making myself a sandwich.

    so.. i'll just say "drooling" over this post with no promise or even intention of making it myself

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  17. I'm all over anything that starts with pasta. Bacon's like the cherry on top.

    For some reason I've never tried asparagus in pasta. Will definitely give it a shot!

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  18. A perfect pasta dish! My favorite veggie is asparagus!

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  19. this looks so delicious, seriously! i usually stay away from bacon, too...but i can make an exception for this! ooh, can't wait to try.

    i love all veggies...but it would be between broccoli and kale!

    [oomph.]

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  20. this looks so good. i love asparagus. i just had it yesterday, one of my faves, but right now im so addicted to cauliflower

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  21. This looks delicious I will need to try it and then blog about it so you can see how we did. As for my fav veggie dish I would have to say greenbean casserole.

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  22. my favorite veg? cant decide. maybe a toss up between ocra and spinach. :) that dish sounds amzing ps!

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  23. this looks so delicious!!!


    www.theveggielunchbox.blogspot.com

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  24. I really enjoy the recipes that you post Hannah, I've made the Peruvian style roast about 5 times now! Can't wait to try this.

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