Bacon Lovers’ Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces of pasta (your choice, such as fettuccine or penne)
• 6 slices of bacon, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
3. Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet with the bacon grease, add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Prepare the Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
5. Add the Pasta and Cheese: Stir in the cooked pasta and grated Parmesan cheese into the skillet with the cream sauce. Toss until the pasta is well coated in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, you can add some reserved pasta water to thin it out.
6. Incorporate the Bacon: Add the crispy bacon back into the skillet with the pasta. Mix well to distribute the bacon throughout the dish.
7. Season and Serve: Season the pasta with salt and black pepper according to your taste. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Tips:

• For extra flavor, you can add some crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce for a hint of heat.
• To make this dish vegetarian-friendly, you can omit the bacon and use olive oil instead to sauté the garlic.
• Feel free to customize the recipe by adding your favorite vegetables such as spinach or cherry tomatoes.

Storage:

• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or cream to revive the creaminess if necessary.