Best Easy Weeknight Bacon Broccoli Pasta Recipes

Easy Weeknight Bacon Broccoli Pasta image

Provided by Jessica

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 ounces pasta (cooked)
4 slices bacon (chopped)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
2 cups broccoli florets
1/4 cup freshly shaved/grated parmesan
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
lots of fresh cracked black pepper
extra virgin olive oil (if needed for drizzling)

Steps:

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the directions.
While the water is boiling, heat a large skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat and add the bacon. Cook until it is browned, crispy and all the fat is rendered, then removed the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it on a paper towel to drain and excess grease.
Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease from the pan and turn the heat up to medium. Stir in the garlic and the broccoli florets and cook, tossing occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the broccoli is bright green and slightly soft. Add a lot of fresh cracked pepper and if you'd like, a tiny pinch of salt. I find that I usually don't need the salt because the bacon grease is salty!
At this time, you can toss in the cooked pasta. Toss well to combine every and keep it over low heat. If it seems too dry, you can drizzle in the remaining bacon grease or you can just drizzle some olive oil on top and toss well. Add in the parmesan shavings and crushed red pepper. Toss well. Serve it!

One-Pot Bacon Broccoli Pasta image

Provided by Christy Denney

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 strips of bacon (cut into chunks)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 cups dry rigatoni pasta ((or other small shape like penne))
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt ((and pepper to taste))
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 cups broccoli florets
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese ((more for sprinkling on top))

Steps:

In a large saucepan, pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towels. Drain fat from the pot leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pot.
Add the garlic and sautee for about 30 seconds. Add the uncooked pasta, cream, chicken broth, salt (and pepper), and crushed red pepper. Stir. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 6 minutes making sure to stir once in a while and keep noodles covered in liquid.
Add the broccoli to the pot and cook another 5-7 minutes or until the broccoli is soft. Continue cooking until sauce is a little thicker. It will be thin and then thicken towards the end. Stir in the Parmesan and reserved bacon.
Serve immediately and top with additional Parmesan.