Indulge in a culinary journey with our enticing Bacon Pumpkin Pesto Pasta, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This delectable dish is a harmonious blend of sweet pumpkin, savory bacon, and aromatic pesto, all enveloped in a creamy sauce that promises a velvety smooth texture. As you twirl each forkful, you'll embark on a delightful adventure, starting with the crispy bacon that adds a delightful crunch. The pumpkin, roasted to perfection, lends a natural sweetness that complements the nutty flavor of the pesto. The creamy sauce, made with a combination of heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese, brings everything together in a luscious embrace. In addition to the main recipe, we also offer variations that cater to diverse dietary preferences. For those with a vegetarian inclination, we've crafted a meatless version that swaps out the bacon for roasted mushrooms, providing a hearty and flavorful alternative. And for those seeking a touch of spice, our spicy pesto variation infuses a fiery kick that will set your taste buds ablaze. With its versatility and customizable options, our Bacon Pumpkin Pesto Pasta is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CREAMY PUMPKIN PASTA WITH CRISPY BACON
Steps:
- Pre-heat the oven to 200°c and line a baking tray with foil.
- Combine the pumpkin, honey, salt and olive oil in a mixing bowl then transfer to the prepared baking tray. Add the thyme and place in the oven.
- Allow the pumpkin to roast for 30-45 minutes until starting to caramelize and cooked through.
- Remove from the oven, discard the thyme and transfer to a bowl then puree with an emersion blender. Add a splash of milk to make the blending a little easier.
- In a large frying pan, fry the onion and garlic until soft and translucent then add the pumpkin puree and stock. Allow to come to a simmer then stir in the bacon fat.
- Remove from the heat and add the parmesan cheese. Season to taste.
- Stir in the cooked pasta and toss to coat well. At this stage you can add a little of the pasta's cooking water to loosen the sauce if necessary.
- Serve the pasta topped with crispy bacon and a grating of Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 369 kcal, Carbohydrate 69 g, Protein 12 g, Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 1 mg, Sodium 403 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 6 g, ServingSize 1 serving
BACON & PUMPKIN PASTA
Try something different with a bacon & pumpkin pasta
Provided by Merrilees Parker
Categories Dinner, Lunch, Main course, Pasta, Side dish, Supper
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat a heavy-based saucepan, add 1 tbsp olive oil and pancetta or bacon, then cook for a few mins. Add remaining oil and the onion. Cook for 5 mins, until the onion softens and the pancetta is crispy.
- Stir in the butter, then tip in the pumpkin or squash and sage. Mix well to combine, then season. Cover and cook for 6-8 mins, stirring occasionally until the pumpkin is soft, but not falling apart.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to pack instructions. Drain and add to the pumpkin mixture. Stir in the parmesan and season. Serve in pasta bowls sprinkled with extra parmesan.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 634 calories, Fat 27 grams fat, SaturatedFat 6 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 81 grams carbohydrates, Fiber 5 grams fiber, Protein 23 grams protein, Sodium 2 milligram of sodium
PASTA WITH PUMPKIN SEED PESTO
Fragrant with basil and rich with pumpkin seeds and cheese, this is the ideal dish to make ahead of time and pack for lunch. Instead of preparing it to eat as a hot meal or a cold salad, it's designed to be chilled and then enjoyed cold or at room temperature. Cooking the garlic quickly in the water boiled for the pasta softens its sharp edge. A splash of that same boiling water blends with the basil to keep it green. . Rinsing the pasta after cooking it helps the pesto stay flavorful for days in the refrigerator. The tomatoes add a tangy freshness, but they can be skipped altogether or swapped for green beans or peas (just drop them with the pasta during the last few minutes or cooking).
Provided by Genevieve Ko
Categories dinner, lunch, weeknight, pastas, main course
Time 25m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large saucepan of generously salted water to a boil. Drop the garlic cloves into the boiling water and boil for 30 seconds to temper their sharpness. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cloves to a food processor or blender.
- Drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook until al dente.
- While the pasta cooks, add the pumpkin seeds and a pinch each of salt and pepper to the garlic, and process until very finely ground. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the basil. Scoop 1/4 cup water from the saucepan with the boiling pasta and pour over the basil. Process the basil until ground to a paste. Add the Parmesan and oil, and pulse just until incorporated. Taste the pesto and season with enough salt and pepper to make it punchy.
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water until room temperature. Shake dry, then return to the saucepan, and add the pesto and tomatoes, if using. Stir well until everything is evenly coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide among dishes to serve right away or airtight containers to pack for lunch. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and Parmesan, and serve, or cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
BACON PUMPKIN AND PESTO PASTA
In this recipe, the ingredients are tossed into the pasta, rather than forming a sauce. Great for a quick and easy mid-week meal with salad. I use Kent or Jap pumpkin, available in Australia, and free-range bacon. You can make your own pesto, or buy it ready-made. I like the Sacla brand. Recipe adapted from "Australian Good Taste" magazine.
Provided by Daydream
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 45m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Pre-heat oven to 200°C.
- Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper, and place the pumpkin in a single layer onto the prepared tray. Spray with olive oil spray and season with salt and pepper. Bake pumpkin in oven for around 25 minutes or until tender.
- Bring a large pan of lightly salted water to the boil, then cook pasta according to the packet directions, until al dente. Drain and return to the pan.
- Saute the bacon in a shallow non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add pesto to pasta and toss until coated, then add pumpkin and bacon and toss again until well combined.
- Divide among serving bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 723.9, Fat 36.1, SaturatedFat 11.6, Cholesterol 51, Sodium 632.8, Carbohydrate 87.2, Fiber 13.9, Sugar 3.5, Protein 18.6
DINNER - BACON & PUMPKIN PESTO PASTA
Steps:
- Method Preheat oven to 200°C. Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Place the pumpkin, in a single layer, on the prepared tray. Spray with olive oil spray and season with salt and pepper. Bake in oven for 25 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large saucepan of salted boiling water following packet directions or until al dente. Drain and return to the pan. Cook the bacon in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat, stirring, for 5 minutes or until crisp and golden. Add the pesto to the pasta and toss until coated. Add the pumpkin and bacon and toss until well combined. Divide among serving bowls and sprinkle with parmesan. Serve immediately.
Tips:
- Thicker Pasta: Use thicker pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli to hold the creamy pesto sauce better.
- Crispy Bacon: For the best bacon flavor, cook it until it's crispy and golden brown.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture.
- Homemade Pesto: If you have the time, making your own pesto from scratch is a great way to control the ingredients and flavors.
- Reserve Pasta Water: When draining the pasta, reserve some of the pasta water to help loosen up the pesto sauce if needed.
Conclusion:
This bacon pumpkin pesto pasta is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It's easy to make and packed with flavor, thanks to the combination of bacon, pumpkin, and pesto. The creamy sauce coats the pasta perfectly, and the crispy bacon adds a nice crunch. Overall, this is a great recipe that is sure to please everyone at the table.
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