BLT Pasta

This has been a busy week for Studhubs and I. 

Getting to the store has proven to be a little difficult. 

It is in times like this that I am thankful I keep a stocked pantry.

No matter what my week looks like, I know there will be something on the table.

Because I was so busy yesterday, I had forgotten to set a protein out to thaw. 

What am I going to make for dinner!?! 

So I went to the pantry.  Canned tomatoes, onions, garlic, pasta.  Hmmm...I don't really want spaghetti. 

So I went to the fridge.  Spinach, bacon, white wine.  And a plan begins to form...

BLT Pasta!

This dish was AMAZING and I can't wait share with you how I made it!

BLT Pasta:

*Prep Time: 11 min.  *Cook Time:  10 min.  *Difficulty: Easy  *Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 2 strips of bacon
• 1 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 c. dry white wine
• 1/2 c. chicken broth
• 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• a pinch of red pepper flakes
• 1 lb. of your favorite pasta
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
• 1 c. fresh spinach
• 1/4 tsp. thyme
• 1 c. Italian bread crumbs
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Tools:

• Stock pot
• Skillet
• Chef's Knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons



As always, you will want to start your pasta first. 

Fill the stock pot with water and add salt.

Bring it to a boil, and cook pasta according to the directions on the package.

While your pasta is cooking, place two slices of bacon in a cold pan.

The reason for this is that we want to render the fat from the bacon, not jut fry it.

Cook the bacon until crisp and set aside on some paper towel.

Now, to your hot skillet and bacon drippings add the can of tomatoes, juice and all.

To the tomatoes, add the brown sugar and

Onion.

Allow to cook, over medium/high heat, until the tomatoes begin to break down,

and the onions are soft and translucent.

Then, add the garlic.

You will allow that to cook until you can smell the garlic coming from the pan.

Time to add the wine.

I realize that not everyone is comfortable cooking

with wine.  If that is you, no sweat.  Just replace the wine with more

chicken broth. 

Allow the wine to reduce by half...

Then add the chicken broth.

Or, in my case water and...

 Chicken bouillon.

Allow that to reduce by half,

And then add the red wine vinegar.

Now you can add the spinach, chopping bacon, thyme, and red pepper flakes to the pan.

Place the hot pasta in the skillet as well.

This will wilt the spinach.

And toss everything together.

If your sauce seems a little dry, add some of the

starchy water from the pasta.

Taste for salt and pepper, add any if needed.

Now, in a small skillet, add the olive oil,

And garlic.

Cook until you smell the garlic coming from the pan.

Add the Italian bread crumbs and toast until golden.

Sprinkle over top of the pasta.

And serve it up! 

This dish is healthy AND delicious,

not to mention it is something your ENTIRE family will love!

Try it out tonight! 

You will be so glad you did!

And as always...

Happy Reading, Happy Eating, and Happy Living,

~The Kitchen Wife~

BLT Pasta:

*Prep Time: 11 min.  *Cook Time:  10 min.  *Difficulty: Easy  *Servings: 4-6

PRINTABLE RECIPE 



Ingredients:

• 2 strips of bacon
• 1 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 c. dry white wine
• 1/2 c. chicken broth
• 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• a pinch of red pepper flakes
• 1 lb. of your favorite pasta
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
• 1 c. fresh spinach
• 1/4 tsp. thyme
• 1 c. Italian bread crumbs
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Tools:

• Stock pot
• Skillet
• Chef's Knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons 

Directions:

1. Bring a salted pot of water to boil.
2. Add pasta and cook according to packages.
3. In a cold skillet, place two slices of bacon.
4. Turn on medium/high heat and cook until crispy.
5. When cooked, place on paper towel and set aside.
6. Add the can of tomatoes, brown sugar, and onions to the hot skillet and bacon drippings.
7. Cook until the tomatoes begin to break down and onions become soft and translucent.
8. Add the 1/2 of the minced garlic.
9. Stir and cook until you can smell the garlic coming from the pan. 
10. Now add the wine. **
11. Let wine reduce by half. ***
12. Add the chicken broth.
13. Let the brother reduce by half.
14. Now add the spinach, crumbled bacon, thyme, and red pepper flake to the skillet.
15. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. 
16. Toss everything together and taste for seasoning. ****
17. Add any salt and pepper needed.
18. In a small skillet add Olive oil and other half of the minced garlic.
19. Cook until you smell it coming from the pan.
20. Add the Italian bread crumbs and toast.
21. Sprinkle bread crumbs over the BLT Pasta.
22. Serve and ENJOY!

    ** You can omit the wine and use chicken broth instead.
  *** If omitting the wine, add the broth and one time and reduce by half.
**** If you feel that your sauce is a little dry, just add a little of the starchy pasta water.