Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 lb dried spaghetti
• 10-12 strips thick-cut bacon
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 6 large garlic cloves
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese 

Note: Parmesan and parsley are optional but highly recommended for an extra burst of flavor!

Recipe & Preparation

1. Cook the Pasta – Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Cook the pasta for 1 minute less than the packet suggests. Reserve 2 ½ cups of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
2. Prepare the Bacon and Garlic – Chop the bacon into small dice. In a frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook the diced bacon for 4-5 minutes until crispy. While the bacon is cooking, peel and thinly slice the garlic cloves.
3. Cook the Garlic – Once the bacon is crispy, remove it from the pan using a slotted spoon, leaving the oil and bacon grease behind. Reduce the heat under the pan and add the remaining olive oil along with the sliced garlic. Stir constantly for 2 minutes until the garlic has softened but not yet colored. Add ½ cup of the pasta cooking water and turn the heat back up.
4. Combine Pasta and Sauce – Boil the mixture for a minute, then add the drained pasta to the frying pan. Add an additional ½ cup of pasta water and toss the pasta in the sauce until cooked to your liking, adding more pasta water if needed.
5. Finish and Serve – Once the garlic sauce has coated the pasta, add the cooked bacon and any collected juices back into the pan. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve garnished with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.

This recipe was submitted by Kayla & sourced from Sprinkle and Sprouts.