Pasta with Smoked Bacon, Butternut Squash and Spinach
- 1/2 pounds Smoked Bacon, Cut Into Half Inch Pieces
- 2 Tablespoons Butter, Unsalted
- 3 whole Vidalia Onions, Quarter Inch Slices
- 4 cups Butternut Squash; Peeled, Cut Into Half Inch Cubes
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Rosemary, Chopped
- 1 pound Penne Pasta
- 1 Tablespoon Salt
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese, Divided
- 1 bag Baby Spinach Leaves, Large Bag
- Salt And Pepper, to taste
- In a large heavy skillet or Dutch oven with lid, over medium heat, saute bacon until crisp.
- Remove bacon and drain on paper towels.
- Leave drippings in the pan and add butter.
- Heat until butter is melted; add onions and cook, stirring often until brown and caramelized.
- (I usually add a couple of teaspoons of sugar to the onions to help the caramelizing process.)
- Add squash and stir and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Pour in chicken stock and sprinkle with chopped rosemary.
- Cover and cook until liquid is reduced, about 2 to 4 minutes.
- Be careful to NOT overcook the squash.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil and add penne and 1 tablespoon salt.
- Cook until al dente, or just tender.
- While the pasta is cooking, add the spinach by large handfuls to the onion and squash mixture.
- Stir, and when wilted, add another handful.
- Continue until all spinach is added.
- Dont overcook!
- Toss in 2/3 of the bacon.
- Drain pasta and place in a large bowl.
- Add the vegetables along with 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.
- Toss to mix.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Garnish with remaining bacon and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.
- Serve hot.
- Note: This makes a HUGE amount.
- We typically will freeze half in a casserole dish.
- When you want to serve the second pan, remove from the freezer and thaw in the fridge.
- Drizzle with chicken broth, cover and bake in the oven to reheat.
bacon, butter, vidalia onions, butternut, chicken broth, fresh rosemary, pasta, salt, parmesan cheese, salt
Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/pasta-with-smoked-bacon-butternut-squash-and-spinach/ (may not work)