Bacon pasta is a pasta dish containing sliced and cooked bacon. Other ingredients include pasta of one's choice, onions, garlic, tomatoes, cheese and various types of seasionings. The dish is served hot as a starter or a side dish, and can be made in many different forms with inclusion of additional ingredients such as mushrooms or green peas.
Popular Methods of Preparation of Bacon Pasta
Ingredients: Bacon, pasta, garlic, onions, tomatoes, cheese olive oil, butter and seasonings like salt and pepper are the usual ingredients suggested by the bacon pasta recipe. Bacon is included in sliced form and additional ingredients like peas, mushrooms, green beans and green onions can be used as per different recipes.
Method of Preparation: To prepare bacon pasta, bacon is fried till brown and then drained and kept aside. Chopped onions and minced garlic are sauteed in a small amount of bacon fat, after which canned tomatoes or other ingredients such as peas are added and cooked. Seasonings such as salt and pepper are also added in. Grated cheese and browned sausage mixed are added in this sauce, which is then tossed with cooked pasta.
Serving Suggestions
Bacon pasta is served a first course or a side dish with accompaniments like french bread and salad. Sometimes it may be served as a light meal by itself. The pasta can be garnished with grated cheese before serving.
Bacon Pasta Recipe Variations
Bacon Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce: This is prepared with a sauce made by cooking together heavy cream, butter-browned bacon, sauteed scallions, tomato, seasonings, nutmeg and grated Parmesan cheese. The sauce is tossed with cooked pasta.
Bacon and Peas Pasta: The version is prepared by browning bacon and then cooking peas in bacon fat. The bacon, peas, grated Parmesan cheese and cooked pasta are tossed together after adding seasonings of salt and freshly ground pepper as per taste.
Pasta with Bacon, Mushrooms and Spinach: This dish is prepared by sauteeing chopped onions, diced peppers and sliced mushrooms in heated butter, and then adding chicken or vegetable stock and allowing to cook for some time. Seasonings such as salt and pepper are added, and cooked pasta and fresh spinach are also added in, heating till the spinach wilts. The pasta is topped with browned crumbled bacon and grated cheese.
Bacon and Green Bean Pasta: This is prepared by cooking beans and onions in bacon fat till beans are crisp and tender. This is tossed with cooked pasta, browned bacon and pepper.
Health and Nutrition Facts about Bacon Pasta
Bacon pasta is a good source of protein which is supplied by bacon. Bacon also contains small quantities of various nutrients like niacin, thiamin and vitamin B12. However, bacon has a considerable amount of fat, and should be consumed in moderation by people who do not wish to gain weight.
