A delicious and easy pasta dish that can be made in minutes, creamy pasta with asparagus and bacon was inspired from the classic Italian dish Spaghetti carbonara.
- Seasonal
- Quick and Easy
- Perfect Pasta
- Family Favourite
The sauce is made while the pasta is cooked so it really can be on the table in about 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- Pasta – Use whatever shape pasta you like for this recipe cook as per pack instructions. Usinga wholewheat pasta will add extra fibre to your diet and it works well with this recipe.
- Olive oil – I use extra vrigin
- Asparagus – See below
- Low fat crème fraîche
- Egg – Large or medium Use free-range if you can
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Nutmeg – I find a little nutmeg goes really well with creamy sauces
Make it Seasonal
I love asparagus and I may be biased but I think English Asparagus has the finest flavour. The season is short but sweet and I look forward to eating it as often as I can during that time. Making dishes such as this pasta dish; chicken and asparagus tray bake; Chicken and asparagus Ceasar salad and Foil roasted salmon and asparagus. If you love asparagus then check them out because these are some of my favourite recipes I have made and I am sure you will like them too.
When asparagus is not in season I make this dish with other vegetables. Green beans, tender stem broccoli or spinach all work well.
Step by step creamy pasta with asparagus and bacon
Cook's Tips
- When adding seasoning you may not need additional salt as the bacon will add saltiness to the dish. Taste after the bacon has cooked before adding more salt.
- Use any pasta shape of your choice.
- Cooking times for pasta varies so check the cooking time on the packet. Most will take about 10 minutes if yours is much quicker, start the sauce first.
- No asparagus, then use mushrooms or other green vegetables instead (see above).
- I used a low fat crème fraîche but you could use full fat, double cream or cream cheese instead.
Creamy pasta with asparagus and bacon
Ingredients
- 400 g pasta
- pinch salt
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 150 g bacon
- 350 g asparagus
- 120 ml low fat crème fraîche
- 1 free range egg
- 50 g Parmesan cheese finely grated, plus extra to sprinkle
- freshly ground black pepper
- pinch nutmeg
Instructions
- Trim the asparagus by cutting off the tough bottom part of the stem or bending and snapping off the end. Cut the bacon crossways into thin strips.
- Cook the pasta in plenty of lightly salted boiling water for 10 minutes or as directed on the packet until just tender.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan and cook the bacon until beginning to brown. Add the asparagus stems and continue to cook for 3- 4 minutes until almost tender, then add the tips and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Mix the crème fraîche, egg, cheese in a small bowl and season with pepper and a pinch of grated nutmeg.
- As soon as the pasta is cooked drain and return to the pan. Add the egg mixture stirring constantly then tip in the asparagus and bacon. Stir to combine.
- Spoon into serving bowls and sprinkle with extra parmesan to serve.
Bronac
Excellent flavours….this is a firm favourite in my family.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Glad you like it. Its a favourite of mine at this time of the year
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
Oh gosh - carbonara is one of my fave dishes, but then add asparagus into the mix and it just takes it to the next level. One of my favourite restaurants makes something very similar and I nearly always order this when I do there!! Thanks for linking up to #CookBlogShare. Eb 🙂
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thanks Eb It certainly easy enough to make at home too.
Cat | Curly's Cooking
This looks so deliciously creamy. Any recipe with bacon is a winner in my opinion.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
oh yes i too am a fan o just about anything with bacon in but trust me it goes particularly well with asparagus. j 🙂
Monika Dabrowski
This is a fantastic easy meal idea, can't get enough of asparagus this time of year!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
You and me both Monika. I love it.