Imagine a dish that combines the crispy, salty allure of bacon with the rich, nutty crunch of walnuts, all perfectly intertwined with al dente pasta. This isn't just another recipe—it's a flavor explosion waiting to happen in your kitchen! In just 30 minutes, you'll transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal that will have your family and friends begging for seconds. Get ready to unlock the secret to an irresistible Italian-inspired pasta dish that's both comforting and sophisticated.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 300g pasta
- 150g bacon, diced
- 100g walnuts, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. The water should taste like sea water to properly season the pasta.
- While water is heating, dice the bacon into small, uniform pieces and roughly chop the walnuts. Mince the garlic finely.
- Add pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy and golden brown, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Once bacon is crisp, reduce heat to low and add minced garlic to the bacon and rendered fat. Sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add chopped walnuts to the skillet and toast them lightly with the bacon for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the skillet with bacon and walnuts. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. The bacon will already provide some saltiness, so add salt judiciously.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top. The heat from the pasta will slightly melt the cheese.
Tips
- Salt is Your Secret Weapon: Make your pasta water as salty as the sea to ensure deeply flavored pasta from the inside out.
- Bacon Crisp is Key: Cook bacon slowly to render out maximum fat and achieve that perfect golden-brown crunch.
- Timing is Everything: Toast walnuts carefully—just until fragrant—to prevent burning and release their rich, nutty flavor.
- Pasta Water Magic: Always reserve some pasta cooking water. Its starchy goodness helps create a silky, clingy sauce.
- Cheese Matters: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the most intense flavor and best melting properties.
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best enjoyed hot, right from the skillet, when the cheese is just starting to melt and the bacon is still crisp.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 550kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 40mg
