Lemon Spaghetti with Crispy Bacon
With a few basic ingredients this zesty, peppery lemon pasta is ready to serve in 20 minutes! Made with smokey bacon, fresh lemon, citrus pepper and parmesan, this spaghetti is bursting with flavour. So quick and easy to make, it is a perfect weeknight meal when dinner needs to be on the table fast!
Serves 4
Effort: Easy
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Gluten free option
Ingredients
340g spaghetti
3 tbsp olive oil
4 rashers smoked bacon, chopped into batons
2 garlic cloves, minced
1.5 tbsp citrus pepper - Mingle
Juice and zest of one lemon
2 tablespoons fresh parsley plus more for serving
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
Instructions
Cook the spaghetti in a pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking pasta liquid.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the bacon and fry until crispy.
Add the garlic, citrus pepper, lemon zest, lemon juice and parsley and stir to combine.
Add the cooking pasta liquid and parmesan cheese and stir. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
Transfer the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the pasta sauce and toss until well coated. Serve with extra parsley and parmesan cheese, if desired.
Hints & tips
Make gluten free - Use any gluten free pasta of choice. This is our favourite - San Remo. We have used gluten free pasta for the photos.
Bacon - We have suggested to use smoked bacon for added flavour. Feel free to use whatever bacon you prefer.
Pasta - For best results, follow the recipe as is. However, swap spaghetti for fettucine or linguine if that’s what you have on hand.
Pasta water - It contains starch, which will allow the lemon sauce to coat each strand of spaghetti. So don’t throw it away!
Variations - Need extra protein? Add some pan fried chicken when serving.
To make the sauce creamy, you can add a splash of cream before tossing the sauce through the pasta. About 1/4 cup would do.
Serving suggestion - Serve with fresh greens. Add some crusty bread if you are looking for something more hearty.
Storage - This lemon pasta is best served as soon as it’s made, but it will keep well in the fridge for two or three days. You can reheat leftovers on the stovetop or microwave. Add in a tablespoon or two of water when you reheat to loosen the sauce back up.
