Quick pasta with crispy bacon, garlic, and linguine tossed in a silky, creamy sauce made from starchy pasta water.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz linguine
02 - Salt, for pasta water
→ Bacon & Sauce
03 - 7 oz bacon, diced
04 - 2 tbsp olive oil
05 - 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
06 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
08 - 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water
→ Finishing Touches
09 - 1.5 oz grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
11 - Lemon zest (from 1/2 lemon, optional)
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced bacon and cook, stirring, until crispy and golden, about 6-8 minutes.
03 - Reduce heat to low. Add chopped garlic and black pepper (and red pepper flakes, if using) to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
04 - Add the drained linguine directly to the skillet with the bacon. Pour in 1/4 cup reserved pasta water and toss well to coat, adding more water as needed to create a creamy, glossy sauce.
05 - Remove from heat. Add grated Parmesan and toss until melted and the sauce is silky. Stir in chopped parsley and lemon zest if desired. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper.
