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Overhead of rigatoni with pesto and bacon cream sauce

Bacon and Basil Pesto Rigatoni

Let's be real, adding bacon to anything is going to kick it up to the next level! This bacon and pesto rigatoni will give you all the comforting warm belly feels. The creamy sauce combined with pesto and bacon is a perfect combination.
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 1347 kcal

Equipment

  • Stock Pot
  • Skillet
  • Food Processor or Blender

Ingredients
  

For Basil Pesto

  • 1 c. Fresh basil about 30 leaves
  • 1/4 c. Olive oil Extra virgin
  • 4 Cloves Garlic crushed
  • 1/4 c. Pine Nuts
  • 1/2 c. Shredded Parmesan
  • Pinch of Salt

For Cream Sauce

  • 1/4 c. Butter Unsalted
  • 2 c. Heavy Cream room temperature
  • 1/2 c. Reserved pasta water
  • 1 lb. Rigatoni
  • 5 Slices Thick Cut Bacon

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta in a large stock pot. Set-aside.
  • In the food processor add fresh basil, pine nuts, shredded parmesan, and garlic. Turn your food processor to high speed. slowly add in your extra virgin olive oil. By adding in the olive oil slow you can control the consistency of the basil pesto.
  • After the pesto is blended and creamy, taste it. Add a couple pinches of salt. We add salt at the end to make sure not to over salt the pesto.
  • In a large skillet on medium high heat, cook the bacon until it's golden brown, this will take about 8 minutes.
  • Once your bacon is golden brown, remove it from the skillet and drain off the remaining grease.
  • Using the same skillet, set the temperature to medium high heat and add butter.
  • When the butter is melted add in heavy cream, basil pesto and pasta water.
  • Whisk the cream sauce until it is thick and has reduced by half. This will take about 10-12 minutes.
  • To the finished sauce add your bacon and pasta. Cook everything together for 5 minutes.
  • Turn off your heat and add ½ cup of parmesan cheese.
  • Mix everything together.
  • Garnish with shaved Parmesan. Enjoy immediately!

Notes

You know that sauce has reduced once tight bubbles have formed around the edge of the skillet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 1347kcalCarbohydrates: 91gProtein: 26gFat: 99gSaturated Fat: 44gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gMonounsaturated Fat: 35gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 195mgSodium: 432mgPotassium: 546mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 2129IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Quick Meal, Sauce, Spaghetti
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