04 Dec Easy Pasta Dinner

This pasta dinner is an easy winner.

Is it the bacon? Probably – because really, all things are truly better with bacon. But if real bacon isn’t your thing – this recipe is worth the try with either chicken or turkey bacon. Friends, it’s time to really put away the BBQ for the season (there is a BBQ season and this isn’t it!) and come back into the kitchen for the kind of meal that you can make in 15 minutes, slice a beautiful baguette, pour a rich red wine and share around a table with family or friends. This recipe has been adapted from Bon Apetit’s September 2004 magazine.  Enjoy!

The finished dish:

Ingredients

12 bacon slices

1 large red onion, chopped (about 2 cups)

1 1/2 cups dry white wine

12 ounces gemelli or rotini (about 3 cups)

1 cup of chopped fresh broccoli or zucchini

3 large plum tomatoes, seeded, coarsely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

Option: 1 cup fresh goat cheese or parmesan to sprinkle on top

Step 1

Cook bacon in heave large skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 3 tablespoons drippings from skillet. Add onion and sauté until soft – about 3 minutes. Add wine, boil until reduced by 1/3, about 3 minutes.

Step 2

Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until slightly underdone. Add broccoli or zucchini and boil until pasta is tender but still firm to bite – about 2 minutes. With slotted spoon, take out veggie and add to skillet with onion.

Step 3

Add bacon to skillet with onion and veggie – cook for 2 minutes. Drain pasta and put in large bowl. Add skillet mixture and toss. Season with salt and pepper and serve. (Option – sprinkle cheese over top)