Bacon Shrimp Scampi Pasta
Description
What's not to like about pasta, garlicky shrimp, and bacon smothered in a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce?
Ingredients
•
1 (8 ounce) package spaghetti (such as Barilla® Spaghetti Rigati)
•
4 slices bacon, chopped
•
2 cloves garlic, minced
•
12 ounces jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
•
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or more to taste
•
1/2 cup chicken broth
•
1/2 cup heavy cream
•
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
•
salt and ground black pepper to taste
•
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
•
3 wedges fresh lemon
Directions
1
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until nearly tender, about 8 minutes.
2
Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels, leaving about 1 1/2 tablespoons grease in the skillet.
3
Add garlic to hot grease and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add shrimp and sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Cook until just cooked through and pink, about 2 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4
Pour chicken broth into the hot skillet, and cook for about 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream, and bring to a simmer, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low, whisk in Parmesan cheese, and cook until sauce starts to thicken, about 2 minutes.
5
Drain spaghetti, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
6
Return shrimp and bacon to the skillet and simmer until heated through, about 1 minute. Add spaghetti and toss all ingredients together. Whisk in some of the reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick. Season with salt and pepper.
7
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with a fresh lemon wedge to be squeezed over the pasta.