Chef John's BLT Pasta

4.7
(173)

If you can't decide whether to make a BLT sandwich or a pasta, now you can do both. The combination of bacon, lettuce, and tomato has a proven track record of deliciousness! Try this BLT pasta for yourself.

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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • ½ pound bacon, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest

  • cup creme fraiche

  • 2 cups ditalini pasta

  • 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes

  • 4 cups baby arugula, coarsely chopped

  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

  • 1 tablespoon freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, or to taste (Optional)

Directions

  1. Pour olive oil into a heavy skillet over medium heat, add bacon, and cook until almost crisp, 5 to 8 minutes. Turn off the heat. Hold a paper towel with tongs and mop up excess bacon grease with the paper towel, leave about 2 teaspoons bacon grease in the skillet.

  2. Stir minced garlic and lemon zest into bacon in the skillet and let cook in residual heat until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir creme fraiche into the bacon mixture.

  3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and stir in ditalini. Cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain and add pasta to the skillet. Stir pasta thoroughly into bacon and creme fraiche mixture.

  4. Return skillet to medium heat. Add tomatoes; cook and stir until slightly softened, about 1 minute. Mix in arugula, stirring until wilted, about 30 seconds, and turn off heat.

  5. Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir again and garnish with Parmesan cheese.

    close up view of BLT Pasta on a white plate with a fork
    Life Tastes Good

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

502 Calories
28g Fat
48g Carbs
17g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 502
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 28g 35%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Cholesterol 76mg 25%
Sodium 517mg 22%
Total Carbohydrate 48g 18%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 17g 35%
Vitamin C 19mg 21%
Calcium 69mg 5%
Iron 3mg 16%
Potassium 479mg 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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