Looking for a spin on a classic BLT? This BLT pasta is simple, delicious, and comes together in a snap, we are talking less than 30 minutes!

After this meal appeared on my menu plan, I had several requests to post it immediately. Although not all of the new recipes I try are successful (sadly, so sadly), this one was definitely a hit.

The concept is brilliant and the flavors, although simple, are perfect for a light pasta dish.

White bowl with spinach, pasta, and croutons.

The hints of meaty bacon, fresh spinach and bright tomatoes were a perfect compliment to the tender noodles and salty Parmesan cheese. Do you want to know my favorite part, though? Even more than the snitches of bacon? The croutons.

Oh, the croutons. Homemade croutons. Heavenly in their buttery toasted state, I had trouble not snatching the croutons from atop my family’s plates.

In a million years, I never would have thought to top a simple pasta dish with crunch croutons, but I have a feeling I’ll be making the adjustment to include these nuggets of love from now on.

P.S. This pasta doesn’t save all that well considering the spinach gets a bit wilty (perhaps you like that sort of thing?) and the bacon gets a bit rubbery…so my advice? Eat up while you can.

P.P.S. Did I mention this meal comes together in a snap? Less than 30 minutes. I promise.

White bowl with tomatoes, pasta, spinach, and croutons.

What to Serve With This

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BLT Pasta

Yield: 6 Servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 38 minutes
Total Time: 58 minutes
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 slices hearty or artisan bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, about 4 cups total (I used a homemade ciabatta loaf)
  • 12 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 pound radiatore pasta, or other small pasta shape
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 (6-ounce) bag baby spinach
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions 

  • Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. While the water comes to a boil, melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the bread cubes and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and wipe out the skillet.
  • Cook the chopped bacon in the empty skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and leave a small amount of the bacon fat in the skillet (about 2 teaspoons). Cook the onion in the bacon fat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • While the onion softens in the skillet, add 1 tablespoon salt to the boiling water then stir in the pasta. Cook until just tender (al dente). Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the pasta water by ladling it into a bowl before draining the pasta. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Stir in the tomatoes, spinach, Parmesan, bacon and onion mixture, and 1 cup reserved pasta water. Stir quickly and completely so the cheese doesn’t melt in large clumps. Add additional water as needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle pasta onto plates or bowls and top with croutons. Serve immediately.
Author: Mel
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Method: Stovetop
Serving: 1 Serving, Calories: 644kcal, Carbohydrates: 72g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 54mg, Sodium: 691mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 7g

Recommended Products

Cookware
Stainless Steel Skillet with Lid
Over-the-Sink Colander

Recipe Source: Adapted from Cook’s Country

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