Zucchini Bacon Pasta Toss

Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this irresistible Zucchini Bacon Pasta Toss, a quick and flavorful combination of tender pasta, crispy bacon, and fresh zucchini. Ready in just 35 minutes, this recipe balances savory and vibrant flavors, enhanced by a touch of garlic and a hint of optional red pepper flakes for spice lovers. A light Parmesan-infused sauce ties everything together, creating a dish that's both comforting and refreshingly bright. Perfect for those looking to incorporate seasonal vegetables like zucchini in a crowd-pleasing meal, this easy pasta toss is ideal for busy days yet impressive enough for special occasions. Garnish with parsley for a pop of color and freshness, and share the joy of this deliciously simple treat!

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta (such as spaghetti or penne)
• 2 medium zucchini
• 6 slices bacon
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, slice the zucchini into thin rounds or half-moons, depending on your preference. Mince the garlic cloves.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into bite-sized pieces.

Step 4

Discard most of the bacon fat from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add the olive oil to the skillet and heat over medium heat.

Step 5

Add the zucchini slices to the skillet with a pinch of salt and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender and slightly golden in spots.

Step 6

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. If desired, sprinkle in red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the crumbled bacon and half of the Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together gently, adding splashes of the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the mixture and create a light sauce.

Step 8

Season to taste with additional salt and black pepper. Adjust flavors as needed.

Step 9

Serve the pasta warm, topped with the remaining Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	908.7 grams (908.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1401

Total Fat 73.90g	95%
Saturated Fat 27.10g	136%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.90g
Cholesterol 128mg	43%
Sodium 8262mg	359%
Total Carbohydrate 119.50g	43%
Dietary Fiber 8.60g	31%
Total Sugars 30.10g
Protein 70.20g	140%

Vitamin D 8IU	39%
Calcium 999mg	77%
Iron 6mg	31%
Potassium 1265mg	27%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.7%

Protein: 19.7%

Carbs: 33.6%