Pesto Bacon Pasta 🥓🌿🧄🍝 Smoky, Garlicky, and Packed With Herb-Rich Flavor in Every Bite

This is a flavor bomb of a pasta dish — crispy bacon meets fresh pesto in a glossy, cheesy tangle of noodles. It’s the perfect balance of salty, rich, and green — fast enough for a Tuesday night, indulgent enough for guests.

No cream, no fuss — just big flavor and bacon-forward energy.

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

For the pasta

• 12 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, spaghetti, or shells)
• Salted water for boiling
• ½ cup reserved pasta water

For the pesto

• 2 cups fresh basil or spinach (or mix)
• ⅓ cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• Juice of ½ lemon
• ½ cup olive oil (plus more to taste)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the bacon

• 6 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
• Optional: ¼ tsp red pepper flakes for heat

To finish

• More Parmesan
• Extra pesto or olive oil drizzle
• Optional: lemon zest, chili flakes, or toasted breadcrumbs

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the pasta
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

Step 2: Cook the bacon
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Leave 1–2 tbsp bacon fat in the pan for flavor.

Step 3: Make the pesto
While bacon cooks, blend basil/spinach, nuts, garlic, Parmesan, lemon juice, and olive oil in a food processor until smooth but textured. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Toss everything together
In the skillet with reserved bacon fat, add drained pasta and pesto. Toss over low heat, adding splashes of pasta water until everything is creamy and coated. Stir in the crispy bacon and red pepper flakes if using.

Step 5: Serve hot
Top with more Parmesan, lemon zest, or a drizzle of olive oil or pesto. Serve immediately.

Flavor Variations

• Add peas, cherry tomatoes, or arugula for brightness
• Stir in burrata or goat cheese for creaminess
• Use pancetta or prosciutto instead of bacon
• Try kale or arugula pesto for a different herb profile
• Swap in smoked paprika for a deeper savory note

Pro Tips

• Cook bacon low and slow for even crispiness
• Use fresh garlic and good olive oil — they drive the pesto
• Save the pasta water — it’s essential for emulsifying the sauce
• Toss the pasta while still hot — helps absorb all the flavors
• Taste your pesto before mixing — adjust lemon, salt, or cheese to balance

Final Thoughts

Pesto Bacon Pasta is smoky, herby, and downright addictive — the kind of dish that feels like a cheat meal but is fresh enough to eat weekly. It’s proof that bacon and basil belong in the same bite.

Crisp it. Toss it. Let the bacon do the talking. 🥓🌿🧄🍝

🍝 Pasta Recipes Collection

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🍗 Protein-Packed Pastas

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🥗 Pasta Salads & Light Fare

• 🥗 Pasta Salad Recipes – Great for potlucks, picnics, or meal prep — versatile and crowd-pleasing.
• ❄️ Cold Pasta Salad Recipes – Crisp veggies and chilled noodles tossed with light vinaigrettes or creamy dressings.
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