Creamy Blue Cheese Pasta with Crispy Bacon and Arugula
Indulge in this delectable Creamy Blue Cheese Pasta with Crispy Bacon and Arugula that promises to elevate your dinner experience. The rich and tangy flavors of the blue cheese blend beautifully with the savory crunch of bacon, while the fresh arugula adds a peppery bite that balances the creaminess of the dish. Perfect for a cozy meal or to impress guests, this pasta dish is not only quick to prepare but also bursting with flavor. Serve it with a side salad and your favorite wine for a complete dining experience.
4
Servings
255
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon
4 slices (chopped)
Spaghetti
1 lb (uncooked)
Butter
1 tablespoon (unsalted)
Olive Oil
1 tablespoon (extra-virgin)
Garlic
2 cloves (minced)
Shallots
2 (finely chopped)
All-purpose Flour
2 tablespoons (sifted)
Chicken Stock
1 cup (low-sodium preferred)
Cream
1/4 cup (or half-and-half)
Blue Cheese
8 ounces (crumbled)
Arugula
1/4 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil for the spaghetti. Once boiling, add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Remember to reserve some pasta water before draining.
2
While the pasta cooks, heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until it becomes crispy, then transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease, leaving about a tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
3
Lower the heat to medium and add olive oil and butter to the hot skillet. Once the butter has melted into the oil, add the minced garlic and chopped shallots. Sauté for approximately 3 minutes or until fragrant and translucent.
4
Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed mixture and cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Gradually whisk in the chicken stock, and bring the mixture to a gentle bubble for about 30 seconds before adding the cream. Stir until combined and let it come back to a bubble.
5
Once bubbling, add the crumbled blue cheese and a few grinds of black pepper. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting to keep warm.
6
Drain the spaghetti (remembering to reserve a little pasta water if needed) and toss it into the skillet with the cheese sauce. Mix well to ensure the pasta is fully coated. Adjust the seasoning and sauce consistency with reserved pasta water if necessary.
7
Before serving, sprinkle the crispy bacon and chopped arugula over the top of the pasta for added flavor and texture. Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy blue cheese pasta!
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
20g
Carbs
12g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this dish?
Creamy Blue Cheese Pasta with Crispy Bacon and Arugula
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What are the calories per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 255 calories.
How much protein is in this pasta?
There are 12g of protein per serving.
What type of pasta is used?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of uncooked spaghetti.
How much bacon is required?
You will need 4 slices of chopped bacon.
What kind of butter is recommended?
1 tablespoon of unsalted butter is recommended.
How much olive oil should I use?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil.
How many garlic cloves are in the sauce?
There are 2 minced cloves of garlic.
How should I prepare the shallots?
Use 2 finely chopped shallots.
What is the amount of flour needed?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of sifted all-purpose flour.
What type of stock is suggested?
1 cup of low-sodium chicken stock is preferred.
Can I substitute the cream?
Yes, you can use 1/4 cup of cream or half-and-half as a substitute.
How much blue cheese is used?
8 ounces of crumbled blue cheese are used.
What is the purpose of arugula in this recipe?
Arugula adds a peppery bite and texture as a topping for the dish.
How long do I sauté the garlic and shallots?
Sauté them for approximately 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
How long should the flour be cooked?
Cook the flour for an additional minute while stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
Should I save the pasta water?
Yes, remember to reserve some pasta water before draining to adjust the sauce consistency later.
How is the bacon prepared?
Cook chopped bacon until crispy, then drain on a paper towel, leaving 1 tablespoon of fat in the skillet.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 15g of fat per serving.
What are the total ingredients needed?
The recipe calls for a total of 11 ingredients.
What is the carbohydrate count?
There are 20g of carbohydrates per serving.
How do I ensure the sauce is smooth?
Stir continuously until the blue cheese has melted and the sauce reaches a smooth consistency.
When do I add the bacon and arugula?
Sprinkle them over the top of the pasta just before serving for added flavor and texture.
What heat should I use for the bacon?
Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat to cook the bacon.
What temperature should the sauce be kept at after cooking?
Reduce the heat to the lowest setting to keep the cheese sauce warm while you prep the pasta.
How is the chicken stock added?
Gradually whisk in the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a gentle bubble for about 30 seconds.
How should the spaghetti be cooked?
Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until it is al dente.
Is there any seasoning added to the cheese sauce?
Yes, add a few grinds of black pepper once the sauce is bubbling and before the cheese is melted.
What category is this recipe?
This recipe is categorized under Pasta.