Bacon Shrimp Scampi Pasta

What's not to like about pasta, garlicky shrimp, and bacon smothered in a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce?

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 615 Calories

Ingredients

• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 (8 ounce) package spaghetti (such as Barilla® Spaghetti Rigati)
• 12 ounces jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 wedges fresh lemon
• 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 0.33333334326744 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.125 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or more to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 5

Drain spaghetti, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.

Step 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.

Step 7

Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with a fresh lemon wedge to be squeezed over the pasta.