Pasta with Asparagus and Bacon
Author: 
Recipe type: Pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4
 
A delightful mid-week meal that's quick, easy and economical.
Ingredients
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves crushed garlic
  • tsp dried chilli flakes (more or less as per taste buds)
  • rind of 1 lemon
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 6 slices streaky bacon, cut into batons
  • 400gm spaghetti
  • 1 bunch asparagus, woody ends snapped off and spears cut into 3cm lengths
  • freshly grated parmesan to serve
Instructions
  1. In a small saucepan combine olive oil, garlic, chilli and lemon rind. Stir over low heat until garlic is softened but not browned. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.
  2. In a small frying pan, fry bacon until crispy. Remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towel.
  3. Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Add salt then add spaghetti and cook until almost cooked. Add asparagus, return to the boil then drain, reserving a little of the cooking water.
  4. Pour spaghetti, asparagus and remaining cooking water into a serving bowl and pour over olive oil mixture and lemon juice. Season. Toss to combine, then serve. Top with bacon and then parmesan cheese.
  5. Serve with a green salad if desired.
Recipe by Hotly Spiced at http://hotlyspiced.com/pasta-with-asparagus-and-bacon/