Looking for easy dinner ideas? This Creamy Pasta With Zucchini And Bacon is a quick, hearty meal that is perfect for weeknights yet impressive enough to serve to guests. Best of all, it uses simple ingredients you probably already have at home.
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- Zucchini And Bacon Pasta
- Crock Pot Pasta Recipes
- Ingredients For Creamy Pasta With Zucchini And Bacon
- How to Make Tagliatelle With Bacon And Zucchini
- Tips for Making Creamy Pasta with Zucchini and Bacon
- FAQS For Pasta With Zucchini and Bacon
- Recipes to Make With Bacon
- Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Pasta Recipes
- 📖 Recipe
Life can get busy, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a home-cooked dinner that feels special, like this creamy tagliatelle pasta.
Zucchini And Bacon Pasta
I love the smoky flavor of the bacon, fresh zucchini, and creamy sauce in this recipe, and I think you will, too! It’s quick and easy to make, taking only a little over 25 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for busy parents.
This is a family-friendly dish that even kids who aren't veggie lovers will enjoy, thanks to the creamy pasta and yummy bacon. Plus, you can easily switch this meal up by changing the pasta you use. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner idea or a way to use fresh zucchini, this recipe has it all!
Crock Pot Pasta Recipes
Crockpot pasta recipes are super popular because they offer convenience and comfort. You toss all your ingredients in, set it, and let the slow cooker do all the work. Crockpot pasta is perfect for busy nights or cozy weekends!
- Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
- Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
- Olive Garden Crock Pot Chicken
- Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients For Creamy Pasta With Zucchini And Bacon
- Tagliatelle pasta - The wide texture holds the sauce well, but you can swap it with linguini or fettuccine.
- Zucchini - Adds a fresh flavor and healthy veggies to the dish.
- Smoked bacon - Adds savory, smoky flavor.
- Onion and garlic - Add flavor to the cream sauce.
- Blue cheese - For a tangy flavor. If you aren't a fan, you can use cream cheese or goat cheese.
- Heavy cream and milk - Combine to make the rich sauce.
- Oregano, salt, and pepper - Simple seasonings bring it all together.
- Parmesan cheese - Adds a salty taste.
- Fresh dill - An optional garnish.
How to Make Tagliatelle With Bacon And Zucchini
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add olive oil and salt to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Cook the tagliatelle according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook diced onion and chopped garlic until they have softened. Add most of the bacon and cook until it is golden and crispy.
Toss in the zucchini and sauté until tender, about 5–7 minutes. Season with oregano, salt, and pepper for extra flavor. Reduce the heat and stir in blue cheese until it begins to melt.
Pour in the cream and milk, stirring until it forms a smooth, creamy texture. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes to let it thicken.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and mix well so all the pasta is coated.
Plate the pasta and top it with the crisp bacon, freshly grated Parmesan, and optional dill for garnish.
Tips for Making Creamy Pasta with Zucchini and Bacon
Tip 1: Want to lighten up the recipe? You can substitute part of the heavy cream with Greek yogurt.
Tip 2: Be careful not to overcook the zucchini. Keeping it slightly firm gives the dish a nice variety in texture.
Tip 3: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water to thin it out a bit.
FAQS For Pasta With Zucchini and Bacon
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheating, add a bit of milk or cream to bring back the creamy texture.
Yes, you can. Leave out the bacon and add smoked paprika to the sauce for a savory, smoky flavor.
You could also add extra veggies like mushrooms or spinach.
The pasta and sauce are best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze the sauce separately for up to a month. When ready to use, thaw it in the fridge and reheat gently before adding it to freshly cooked pasta.
Recipes to Make With Bacon
Maybe you have heard that bacon makes everything better. Well, it's true! You can sprinkle crispy bacon on a salad or mix it into pasta, like we have. Enjoy some of our favorite bacon recipes:
- Quick and Easy Green Beans and Bacon Skillet
- Instant Pot Bacon Chicken Ranch Gnocchi
- Bacon Quesadillas Recipe
- Steak Pinwheels with Bacon and Spinach
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you'll need basic kitchen tools like a large pot for the pasta, a large skillet for the sauce, and a spatula or wooden spoon for stirring. A cheese grater will come in handy for garnishing with Parmesan. All of these items can easily be found on Amazon.
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This creamy pasta with zucchini and bacon is easy and full of flavor. It is the perfect comfort food for busy parents or anyone looking for a no-stress dinner.
Pasta Recipes
📖 Recipe
Creamy Tagliatelle with Zucchini and Bacon
Video
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Tagliatelle pasta can be substituted with another pasta
- 2 medium-sized zucchini
- 1 medium-sized yellow onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup blue cheese
- 2 ¼ cups smoked bacon diced
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- ¼ cup dill finely chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of salt to the water. Once boiling, add the tagliatelle and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and roughly chopped garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens.
- Add the diced bacon (reserve a portion for garnish) and fry for 6–7 minutes or until golden brown.
- Stir in the diced zucchini and cook for another 6–7 minutes until tender but not overcooked.
- Season with oregano, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Add the blue cheese and stir for 1 minute until melted.
- Pour in the heavy cream and milk, reducing the heat to low. Stir well and allow the sauce to simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spatula.
- Sprinkle in the fresh dill for added flavor.
- Add the cooked tagliatelle to the pan with the creamy zucchini and bacon sauce.
- Toss the pasta gently to ensure it’s evenly coated in the sauce.
- Fry the reserved bacon in a small pan until crispy and golden brown.
- Plate the pasta on a serving dish and sprinkle it with the crispy bacon.
- Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh dill.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Want to make this dish a bit lighter? Swap out some of the heavy cream for Greek yogurt. It still keeps things creamy but with a healthier twist.
- Don’t overcook the zucchini! Leaving it slightly firm adds a nice little bite and keeps the dish interesting.
- If your sauce ends up a little too thick, no worries. Just stir in a splash of pasta water to loosen it up a bit.
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