Save A rich and comforting pasta dish featuring silky garlic butter sauce, tossed with al dente pasta and finished with a golden crispy bacon crumble for irresistible texture and flavor.
I still remember the first chilly evening I made this pasta for my friends: the aroma of garlic and bacon brought everyone to the kitchen before I could even plate up.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 400 g (14 oz) spaghetti or linguine, 1 tablespoon salt for pasta water
- Bacon Crumble: 6 slices streaky bacon chopped, 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Garlic Butter Sauce: 60 g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, 4 large garlic cloves finely minced, 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes optional, 50 ml (1/4 cup) pasta cooking water, 30 g (1/4 cup) grated Parmesan cheese, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Garnish: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, extra grated Parmesan to serve
Instructions
- Boil Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water then drain.
- Make Bacon Crumble:
- While pasta cooks heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and fry until crispy and golden for about 6 8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Set aside.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce:
- In the same skillet lower the heat and add butter. Once melted add minced garlic and chili flakes if using. Sauté gently for 1 2 minutes until fragrant but do not brown.
- Toss Pasta:
- Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in garlic butter. Add 50 ml reserved pasta water and Parmesan tossing until the sauce is silky and clings to the pasta. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately topped with crispy bacon crumble chopped parsley and extra Parmesan.
Save My family requests this garlic butter pasta on cozy weekends whenever someone craves comfort food. We always laugh about how quickly it disappears from the table.
Required Tools
Large pot skillet or frying pan tongs colander chefs knife and chopping board are needed for smooth prep.
Allergen Information
Pasta contains wheat and gluten; Parmesan contains dairy and may use animal rennet; bacon includes pork. Always check product labels for hidden allergens.
Nutritional Information
Each serving offers about 560 calories 25 g fat 62 g carbohydrates and 21 g protein.
Save The silky garlic butter sauce and crunchy bacon topping make this pasta unforgettable. Make extra everyone will want seconds.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I get the pasta al dente?
Boil salted water and cook the pasta according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until tender yet firm to the bite. Reserve some cooking water to help bind the sauce.
- → What’s the best way to make the bacon crumble crispy?
Fry chopped bacon in olive oil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it turns golden and crunchy, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat on paper towels for crispness.
- → How do I keep garlic buttery and fragrant without browning?
Reduce heat to low, add minced garlic to melted butter, and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes. Avoid high heat to prevent garlic from burning and becoming bitter.
- → Can I substitute ingredients to make it vegetarian?
Omit bacon and replace with crispy fried mushrooms or toasted breadcrumbs for a similar texture and flavor profile.
- → Why reserve pasta water for the sauce?
Pasta water contains starch that helps emulsify the garlic butter sauce, making it silky and allowing it to cling better to the pasta strands.
- → What cheese pairs best with this dish?
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor and creamy texture that complements the garlic butter and bacon crumble beautifully.