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1 Amazing Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Pasta Secret

Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Pasta
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Make this incredibly satisfying pasta dish featuring salty bacon and tender, slightly caramelized Brussels sprouts. It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (like fettuccine or penne)
  • 8 ounces bacon, chopped
  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved or quartered
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy cooking water. Drain pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, cook the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
  3. Add the olive oil to the skillet if needed. Add the prepared Brussels sprouts to the hot skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and slightly browned, about 8-10 minutes.
  4. Add the minced garlic to the Brussels sprouts and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Add the cooked pasta and the reserved crispy bacon back into the skillet with the sprouts and garlic.
  6. Pour in 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together well. The water and residual fat will create a light sauce.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce coats the pasta nicely. Add more pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, if the sauce seems too dry.
  8. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, you can add a splash of white wine when the garlic is fragrant, letting it cook down before adding the pasta water.
  • If you prefer softer sprouts, blanch them briefly in boiling water before sautéing.
  • Use high-quality bacon; it truly makes a difference in the final flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorsensations.com/brussels-sprouts-and-bacon-pasta/