Description
A quick and flavorful pasta dish combining crispy bacon, tender sautéed Brussels sprouts, and zesty pesto, finished with a touch of lemon juice and parmesan cheese. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal with minimal prep and cook time.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats
- 4 slices of bacon (cooked and chopped)
Vegetables
- 12 ounces Brussels sprouts
- 1 clove garlic (grated or minced)
Seasonings
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Pasta & Cheese
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta shells or similar shape/size (gluten-free if needed)
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Other
- 3 tablespoons pesto
- 1 lemon (juiced)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain thoroughly. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the Brussels sprouts by thinly slicing them or using a food processor shredding attachment.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until crispy. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels. Once cool enough to handle, chop into pieces. Reserve one tablespoon of the bacon grease in the skillet and discard the rest.
- Sauté Brussels Sprouts: Add the shredded Brussels sprouts and red pepper flakes to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the Brussels sprouts are tender and slightly caramelized. Stir in the grated or minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the chopped bacon, cooked pasta, pesto, lemon juice, and shredded parmesan cheese into the skillet with the sautéed Brussels sprouts. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients and heat through evenly.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve the pasta topped with extra parmesan cheese for garnish and added flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute the pasta shells with any other preferred pasta shape, including gluten-free options if needed.
- If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use olive oil instead of bacon grease.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for best flavor and texture.
- Leftover bacon grease can be stored for other cooking uses or discarded as preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Brussels sprouts pasta, bacon pesto pasta, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, vegetable pasta, bacon pasta dish
