Chef John's BLT Pasta Recipe

Ingredients

This recipe was developed at its original yield. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged. Note that not all recipes scale perfectly.

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• pound bacon, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• cup creme fraiche
• 2 cups ditalini pasta
• 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
• 4 cups baby arugula, coarsely chopped
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, or to taste (Optional)

Directions

Step 1: Pour olive oil into a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until almost crisp, about 5 to 8 minutes. Once the bacon is nearly done, turn off the heat.

Step 2: Use tongs to hold a paper towel and mop up the excess bacon grease, leaving about 2 teaspoons of bacon grease in the skillet.

Step 3: Stir the minced garlic and lemon zest into the bacon in the skillet. Allow it to cook in the residual heat for about 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4: Add creme fraiche into the skillet with the bacon mixture, stirring to combine.

Step 5: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Stir in the ditalini pasta and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the bacon and creme fraiche mixture.

Step 6: Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for about 1 minute, stirring until slightly softened.

Step 7: Mix in the coarsely chopped arugula, stirring until it wilts, about 30 seconds. Turn off the heat once the arugula is wilted.

Step 8: Season the dish with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste. Stir everything together and garnish with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 502
• Total Fat: 28g (35% Daily Value)
• Saturated Fat: 13g (65% Daily Value)
• Cholesterol: 76mg (25% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 517mg (22% Daily Value)
• Total Carbohydrates: 48g (18% Daily Value)
• Dietary Fiber: 3g (11% Daily Value)
• Total Sugars: 3g
• Protein: 17g (35% Daily Value)
• Vitamin C: 19mg (21% Daily Value)
• Calcium: 69mg (5% Daily Value)
• Iron: 3mg (16% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 479mg (10% Daily Value)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.