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easy spring dinner pasta
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Spring Asparagus, Lemon, & Bacon Pasta

This spring pasta dish is bursting with flavours of bacon, lemon, fresh spring veggies, and parmesan cheese. It is real food, quick to make, and absolutely delicious! Enjoy!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Keyword: easy spring pasta dinner
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 lb bowtie pasta
  • 1 bunch asparagus, ends removed, cut into approx. 1" pieces
  • 1 cup green snap peas, cut into approx. 1/2" pieces or use 1 cup frozen peas, if desired
  • 8-9 slices humanely-raised bacon
  • 1/2 cooking onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup 35% cream May use 18% or table cream, if desired
  • 1 1/2 cups baby spinach leaves
  • 1/2 tbsp lemon, zested (approx. 1 lemon)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (approx. 1/4 of a lemon)
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper, or to taste

Optional Ingredients

  • fresh basil leaves, torn
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • chili flakes

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook bowtie pasta according to package directions. **TWO MINUTES BEFORE PASTA IS FINISHED, ADD CHOPPED ASPARAGUS AND PEAS TO THE POT to cook with the pasta.
  • Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water for later, then drain pasta and vegetables in to a colander.
  • (While preparing pasta)  In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Drain bacon fat from pan, leaving approx. 1 tsp in pan.
  • Add chopped onion to skillet. Cook to soften for 2 minutes. Add chopped garlic and grape tomatoes. Cook for 1 minute (be careful not to burn the garlic).
  • Pour cream into skillet with tomatoes and onions. Bring to a boil, stirring. Reduce heat and simmer for approx. 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  • Add boiled pasta, asparagus, and peas to skillet. Stir in fresh spinach, lemon zest, lemon juice, parmesan, crumbled bacon, and pepper. If sauce is too thick, add some starchy pasta water to loosen. 
  • Taste and adjust lemon, salt, and pepper as desired. 
  • If desired, serve pasta with torn basil leaves, crushed chili flakes, additional parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil over top.