Good afternoon friends. 
I don’t normally like to cook. The husband does that. I am a baker.
But once in a while, I get the urge to make something new and delicious for dinner.
Yesterday was one of those days.
After searching for easy and healthy recipes, I found one for Penne with Asparagus, Spinach and Bacon.
Penne cooked and drained
Bacon cooked for crumbling. (I had to do this twice because I burned the first two pieces - which the husband ate anyway)
Parmesan, asparagus and chicken broth (yes, chicken broth) ready to go
Cooking the asparagus in the bacon grease (I don't know how that's healthy lol) + sweet onion + chicken broth
Tossing with the rest of the ingredients
Finished product!
It came out pretty good! Not my favorite recipe, but good none-the-less.
I would probably make a few tweaks to the proportions.
Here is the recipe, along with the changes I may make for next time (in red).
Penne with Asparagus, Spinach and Bacon
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta - 6 oz
- 2 bacon slices – 4 slices
- 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
- 2 1/2 cups (1-inch) slices asparagus (about 1 pound) – I would cut this into smaller pieces next time
- 1 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cups bagged baby spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup (2 ounces) preshredded Parmesan cheese, divided – more cheese. you can never have enough cheese.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Preparation
- Cook pasta according to the package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain; keep warm.
- Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; crumble. Add onion to drippings in pan; sauté 1 minute. Add asparagus and broth to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Add pasta, spinach, 1/4 cup cheese, and pepper to pan; toss well. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese and bacon.
Nutritional Information
Amount per serving
- Calories: 363
- Calories from fat: 25%
- Fat: 10.2g
- Saturated fat: 4.2g
- Monounsaturated fat: 3.6g
- Polyunsaturated fat: 0.8g
- Protein: 17.8g
- Carbohydrate: 49.1g
- Fiber: 4.6g
- Cholesterol: 18mg
- Iron: 4.3mg
- Sodium: 501mg
- Calcium: 239mg
You’re a tiger! You’re Tony the Tiger! You’re grrrrrrrrrrreat!
Oh yeah, PS. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY HANDSOME HUSBAND!!
He coaxed me into giving him his presents last night, but tonight we shall go out and celebrate! :)
