Creamy Bacon Pasta Bake

“Comforting and a nice weeknight meal.”

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Servings: 6 (serving size: about 1 1/2 cups)

Ingredients

• 8 ounces thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup tomato paste 
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
• 1 (1-pound) package spaghetti
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

Gather all ingredients.

Preheat oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C). Scatter bacon evenly over the bottom of a 13-x-9-inch baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven, stirring twice during cooking, until bacon is crispy and fat has rendered, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer bacon to a small paper-towel-lined plate and set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the baking dish. Add onion, tomato paste, and crushed red pepper to reserved hot bacon fat in the baking dish and stir until onion is well coated in tomato paste.

Add chicken broth, cream, wine, salt, 3/4 cup of the Parmigiano-Reggiano, and stir to combine. Spread spaghetti into broth mixture and bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C), uncovered, stirring every 8 to 10 minutes, until spaghetti is tender, has absorbed most of the sauce, and the sauce has thickened, 40 to 45 minutes.

Remove and top with 1/4 cup of the reserved bacon, remaining 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano and parsley.

Serve immediately, garnishing each serving with more reserved bacon, as desired.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)