Bacon Asparagus Pasta is a very simple pasta recipe with great flavors! This amazing pasta dish comes together in minutes making it a perfect mid week meal. With only 6 ingredients, you'll have dinner on the table in no time!
7ouncesbacon ((170 grams) sliced into fine strips)
1poundasparagus((500 grams))
⅓cupParmigiano Reggiano(plus extra for serving)
1poundlinguine pasta((500 grams))
Instructions
Asparagus sauce
In a cold frying pan or skillet add oil and garlic. Let it heat up gently over medium heat. When aromatic which won't be long, add bacon.
Fry for a few minutes until the bacon is starting to brown and there is a few browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan - this is flavor!
While the bacon is cooking, snap the woody ends of the asparagus and throw away. Wash asparagus under running water. Chop off the tender tops (about 3 or 4 cm) and reserve for later. Finley slice up the rest.
Add finely chopped asparagus stalks and a pinch of salt to the garlic and bacon. The salt will draw out the moisture and help the asparagus cook.
Cook pasta
While the asparagus is cooking bring a large pot of salted water to the boil.
When water is boiling add pasta
While pasta is cooking, attend to Asparagus sauce
As the asparagus becomes tender, crush with the back of a fork. If the asparagus dries out add a little of the pasta cooking water.
Back to the pasta
Two minutes before the pasta is done add the asparagus tips.
Finish Asparagus sauce
Into the softened asparagus stir Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and 2 tablespoons of pasta cooking water to create a light but creamy sauce to coat the pasta.
Taste the sauce. Add freshly ground pepper and salt, if needed.
Drain pasta and finish dish
Drain the pasta and the asparagus tips.
Return pasta and asparagus tips to the cooking saucepan. Add asparagus sauce and stir gently to coat pasta.
Serve immediately with extra grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
Notes
If you can find pancetta, use that instead of the bacon - it will be delicious
Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese can be substituted for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.