This is a go-to recipe that I make a lot - it's a spin off of another recipe out there but with 'Chef-Em's touch'. It has simple ingredients with BIG flavor. There is definitely a kick to this - so be mindful of that! Enjoy this wonderful pasta with crunchy warm french bread.
Ingredients:
- 1 box dried spaghetti or bucatini
- 1/4 pound thick cut peppered bacon, cut into strips
- 1/4 cup good olive oil
- 5 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 & 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 cups baby arugula preferably - good substitute is Spinach (can omit all together but the arugula adds a great freshness)
- Parsley for garnish
- Salt to taste
Pro Tip: Have all of your ingredients prepped before you begin -- this goes fast!
Directions:
1. Get the pasta started then continue on below - in a large pot of boiling water, add
A LOT of salt to the water then cook the spaghetti or bucatini al dente, according to the package directions. Save 1 cup of the pasta water then drain the rest.
2. Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook the bacon that has been cut into strips, over medium-high heat until crisped, 7 to 10 minutes. (If there is more than a tablespoon of grease in the skillet - drain some.) Add the olive oil, then add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and black pepper and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add the lemon juice to the skillet, then toss in the drained pasta and toss to coat. Add the Parmesan in and toss, then begin to add pasta water, just a little bit at a time, to help the cheese coat the pasta. Finally, add the arugula and toss until it wilts. Season to taste with additional salt, black pepper, more parmesan, hot pepper flakes and parsley.
Enjoy with some warm bread and a side salad!
xoxo Chef Em