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I spy with my little eye…bacon…asparagus…pasta…Parmesan…
…and?
(Triple gold star if you can guess the secret ingredient!)
White wine.
Mmmmm.
(Did you guess it?) Actually, if you’re not a fan of cooking with wine, you can easily sub in some chicken broth and maybe a hint of lemon juice.
But this recipe was 100% inspired by leftovers in my kitchen on the Sunday afternoon that I whipped it up. And after having had friends over the night before, half a bottle of white wine was corked and calling my name. So, as I like to do, I added half of it to the pasta, and poured the rest into a small glass to drink while I cooked. Perfection.
Seriously, though, the wine ended up being the perfect ingredient to pull this simple pasta together. Let me explain…
Begin by bringing a large pot of water to a boil, and cook your pasta (I went with linguine) according to package instructions until it’s al dente.
Meanwhile, add your diced bacon to a saute pan. Cook it up in a pan until it’s nice and crispy. Then remove it with a slotted spoon, and leave the leftover (about 1 Tbsp.) grease in the pan.
(For timing’s sake, I would add your pasta to the boiling water at this point after your bacon is cooked.)
Add your fresh asparagus, and saute it in the bacon grease until it’s nice and cooked and still has a bit of a “bite”. (Try to avoid overcooking it!)
Then add the white wine, and give the bottom of the pan a good stir to scrape those brown bits off the bottom. It might not be the prettiest, but trust me, this step is so worth it and the pasta’s loveliness will recover. ;)
Let the white wine boil down for a few minutes until it is reduced by about half.
Then once the pasta is ready, drain it and add it to the pan, along with the cooked bacon and asparagus and half of the Parmesan. Give it a good toss.
Then sprinkle the rest of the Parmesan cheese on top.
And then dive in! Because I guarantee you that this pasta will disappear quickly. ;)
This 5-Ingredient Bacon Asparagus Pasta is super easy to make, and full of absolutely amazing flavor!
Ingredients
Scale
1/2 lb. (8 oz.) uncooked pasta (I used linguine)
1/2 lb. (about 8 strips) uncooked bacon, diced
1/2 lb. (8 oz.) fresh aspagarus, ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1/2 cup dry white wine (or you can double this if you’d like)
1/2 cup grated or flaked Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook the pasta in a large pot of generously-salted water al dente according to package instructions.
Meanwhile, add bacon to a medium saute pan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add asparagus to the pan and saute in the bacon grease for about 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked. Remove asparagus with a slotted spoon, and set aside with the bacon. Slowly add the white wine to the pan, and scape the bottom of the pan with a spoon to deglaze the pan and pick up all of those yummy brown bits. Continue cooking for 5 minutes, or until the wine has reduced by about half.
When the pasta is cooked, drain it. Then add the pasta, asparagus, bacon and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese to the saute pan, and toss until combined. Sprinkle pasta with the remaining Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
*If the pasta seems too dry, add in 1/4 cup of the pasta water after adding in the asparagus and bacon and toss to combine.
This looks yummy, I’m not a fan of asparagus but I’m sure I could think of something to replace asparagus to try this out! Wine and bacon go so very well in a sauce together :)
Ali, this looks amazing! I have both bacon and asparagus in my fridge, so this is getting shot straight to the top of the “to make” list. Can’t wait to try it!
You added all the ingredients in the right order, starting with having fun with your friends FIRST! And of course, you have all of the essential food groups represented: Pasta, bacon, cheese and wine. Oh, and veggies, I suppose :)
Ooh, I think this is one of the tastiest pasta recipes I’ve seen in a while! Love the idea of the strong wine and bacon flavours with the milder asparagus. Delicious … and lovely and colourful, too!
Ok…is there anyway for me to magically just dive into this picture and swim in that delicious noodle goodness? This recipe looks amazing, I will no doubt be making this. It is such a great spring/summer dish…although I would eat it year round. I love that it is simple and colorful. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! You have totally made my appetite escalate with this one!
Oh my goodness, this looks so beautiful AND delicious. Asparagus might just be my favorite vegetable and pasta with bacon is always a winner. Yum! Can you ship me some for lunch?
I love pasta, I love bacon, and I love asparagus,,,, I would grill the asparagus, It’s my fav way to eat it, but then you would not get the bacon flavour on it. I am sure going to try this, an I think you are right about the wine adding to it.
I don’t drink, but I enjoy wine in my food at restaurants. I just wanted to know which wine you cooked with. I’m not very familiar with wines. This dish makes my mouth water.
The flavor of bacon – I get it! But what can we substitute for the bacon grease? Recipe looks and sounds so good, but need a healthier alternative. #Vegan #Sustainablelifestyle
You can substitute any oil for bacon grease. And if you’re vegan, this recipe would also be great with diced Field Roast (and nooch in place of cheese). Good luck!
Made this for dinner and it was great! I added a clove of garlic during the last minute of the asparagus & drizzled a bit of olive oil in the end.. lovely!
We do not drink in my house, so we do not have any wine. Any suggestions for substitutes? I don’t think I would even know what white wine would be good. lol. Thank You
IS it possible to give the Nutrients with the recipe, Fat, Carbs, Fiber and Protein. It would be good to know how much of a serving we can have along with the Nutrients.
For inquiring minds, turkey bacon CAN NOT be substituted. By accident of course, because there really is no substitute for real bacon. Had quite the domino effect… No grease to cook in, no yummy brown bits, had to add extra broth and lemon juice and equaled a pretty dry dish. :( Will definitely try this again the right way. Flavor was almost there, just a bit dry.
This looks yummy, I’m not a fan of asparagus but I’m sure I could think of something to replace asparagus to try this out! Wine and bacon go so very well in a sauce together :)
The white wine hitting the pan is the best moment! This looks delicious!!
Ali, this looks amazing! I have both bacon and asparagus in my fridge, so this is getting shot straight to the top of the “to make” list. Can’t wait to try it!
This really could not be more perfect! Love this pasta!
There’s nothing I don’t love about this pasta dish!
Wine, cheese, bacon, asparagus and carbs?! How did you know exactly what I wanted for dinner! Pinned
The flavours in this sound great Ali! So light and spring-like.
All of my favorite ingredients! Lovely pasta dish Ali :) xo
You added all the ingredients in the right order, starting with having fun with your friends FIRST! And of course, you have all of the essential food groups represented: Pasta, bacon, cheese and wine. Oh, and veggies, I suppose :)
Can I come over for dinner?
Oh MY, Ali! You had me at the pasta and dumped me into swoon mode with the bacon and asparagus! Pinned and Stumbled!
You can’t go wrong with bacon, wine, and cheese. Love this simple dish!
Awesome way to use up the abundant amount of asparagus we’ve got going on right now! Love the addition of that bacon too! Looks divine, Ali :)
This looks yum!
Everything tastes better with wine, at least I think so.
Who is not a fan of cooking with wine? Crazy.
This pasta looks simple and all the more delicious for it! Love pasta dishes that let the individual ingredients shine! Beautiful photos too!
This pasta seriously could not be more perfect! : )
Your good photos are amazing-everything looks so fresh.
https://www.thelipstickchannel.com
I have some asparagus in the fridge right now. Think I may have to make this but without the bacon!
Ooh, I think this is one of the tastiest pasta recipes I’ve seen in a while! Love the idea of the strong wine and bacon flavours with the milder asparagus. Delicious … and lovely and colourful, too!
I love these flavors. Sometimes the best recipes come from random ingredients leftover in your fridge :)!
Nothing beats wine, back, and using up leftovers in the fridge. Yummo!! Pinned and shared :)
YUM! You are the QUEEN of making me hungry :)
So amazingly delicious!
What’s not to love? This looks absolutely out of this world!
Ok, I really COULDN’T wait to try it. I made it last night for dinner and I can attest this is one awesome recipe! And super quick too!
Perfection indeed! Love it :)
Ok…is there anyway for me to magically just dive into this picture and swim in that delicious noodle goodness? This recipe looks amazing, I will no doubt be making this. It is such a great spring/summer dish…although I would eat it year round. I love that it is simple and colorful. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! You have totally made my appetite escalate with this one!
That Comfort Girl
Oh my goodness, this looks so beautiful AND delicious. Asparagus might just be my favorite vegetable and pasta with bacon is always a winner. Yum! Can you ship me some for lunch?
Was it dry? I was just wondering if 1/2 cup of the pasta water would have helped. Thoughts?
Hi Bree,
Definitely a great idea to add in some of the pasta water if it seems too dry. Hope you enjoy!
~Ali
I love pasta, I love bacon, and I love asparagus,,,, I would grill the asparagus, It’s my fav way to eat it, but then you would not get the bacon flavour on it. I am sure going to try this, an I think you are right about the wine adding to it.
I love a 5-ingredient recipe! The ingredients in this pasta sound delicious and are gorgeous in color. And, you can’t go wrong with bacon!
I just made and as expected it is delicious! Thanks for the recipe.
I could eat this forever and ever and ever. And ever.
Since my husband doesn’t like asparagus (or eat meat) I’ll be eating this whole thing by myself – thank you!
I don’t drink, but I enjoy wine in my food at restaurants. I just wanted to know which wine you cooked with. I’m not very familiar with wines. This dish makes my mouth water.
can’t wait to try this I’m all about easy & quick.I live alone & rarely cook anymore because it’s too much trouble but this looks good & easy thanks
WHEN GUESSING INGREDIENTS…I WAS THINKING SUNDRIED TOMATOES….BUT IT LOOKS DELICIOUS ..
Ali this is to die for. The photos are incredible, and I can’t think of a better combination for a quick pasta dinner…
Quick, easy & delish!
Sounds delicious and easy! Any ideas of what to pair this dish with?
I recommend pairing it with a green salad and/or some fresh fruit. :)
~Ali
Made this to take to Easter party. So good! I added grape tomatoes for the color.
It has been a long time for me using Pampered Chef. Every thing looks good will be trying them out.
The flavor of bacon – I get it! But what can we substitute for the bacon grease? Recipe looks and sounds so good, but need a healthier alternative. #Vegan #Sustainablelifestyle
You can substitute any oil for bacon grease. And if you’re vegan, this recipe would also be great with diced Field Roast (and nooch in place of cheese). Good luck!
Made this for dinner and it was great! I added a clove of garlic during the last minute of the asparagus & drizzled a bit of olive oil in the end.. lovely!
We do not drink in my house, so we do not have any wine. Any suggestions for substitutes? I don’t think I would even know what white wine would be good. lol. Thank You
Hi Paula,
You are welcome to substitute chicken or veggie stock for wine.
~Ali
IS it possible to give the Nutrients with the recipe, Fat, Carbs, Fiber and Protein. It would be good to know how much of a serving we can have along with the Nutrients.
Very good… I added a clove of garlic to the asparagus.
For inquiring minds, turkey bacon CAN NOT be substituted. By accident of course, because there really is no substitute for real bacon. Had quite the domino effect… No grease to cook in, no yummy brown bits, had to add extra broth and lemon juice and equaled a pretty dry dish. :( Will definitely try this again the right way. Flavor was almost there, just a bit dry.
I was cruising through the “Today” show’s website and found your picture of this recipe on it!! Congrats.
https://www.today.com/food/put-down-casserole-give-your-next-potluck-fun-theme-2D79628771