Simplicity at it’s finest, this linguine with bacon and spinach dish is packed with delicious ingredients and is on the light side of the pasta spectrum.

Hearty spinach, meaty turkey bacon, fresh cremini mushrooms (meaty and juicy, in their own right) and golden pine nuts. Yum!

Coated in a delicate broth of sorts, this pasta is definitely on the light and healthy side of the pasta spectrum.

White bowl with cooked linguine, bacon, pine nuts and spinach.

I happen to like pasta dishes that are less sauce and more pasta and this definitely fits the bill. It especially made me happy because it is made start-to-finish in less than 30 minutes and the prep is really simple.

The other factor of happiness? My kids gobbled up the spinach in a flash because they soon realized it was impossible to pick out the healthy greens from the tangled mass of tender noodles. Whatever works, if you ask me. I, on the other hand, gobbled it up because the wonderful flavors were just too much for me to resist.

What to Serve With This

One Year Ago: Rhubarb Streusel Cake with Warm Vanilla Sauce
Two Years Ago: Deep Dark Chocolate Brownies

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Linguine with Bacon and Spinach

5 star (1 rating)

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces turkey bacon, chopped
  • cup pine nuts
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 10 ounces cremini mushrooms, quartered
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 pound linguine
  • 4 cups baby spinach
  • Parmesan cheese, for sprinkling

Instructions 

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Toast the pine nuts in a small skillet over medium heat, tossing frequently to avoid burning. Once the nuts are golden, set aside.
  • In a large skillet, melt the butter and add the turkey bacon, mushrooms, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, until the turkey bacon and mushrooms are browned and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Stir in the chicken broth and let the mixture simmer for about 2 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, add 1 tablespoon salt to the water in the pot and cook the linguine until al dente, according to package directions. Before draining the noodles, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
  • Stir in the spinach, mushroom/bacon mixture, and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss to combine, adding additional pasta water, if needed.
  • Serve immediately, topping the pasta with the toasted pine nuts and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Serving: 1 Serving, Calories: 583kcal, Carbohydrates: 63g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 61mg, Sodium: 1601mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 3g

Recipe Source: inspired from a 30-Minute Supper in Cook’s Country April/May 2011