Bacon, Roast Squash & Goat Cheese Pasta

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Bacon makes everything better.

Is there a more true statement than that? I’ll argue NOT. As you know, bacon is one of my favorite meat products (I’m sorry Babe, you just taste too damn good) and I just can’t stop loving it. I know it’s not THAT healthy but I’m all about moderation. I’m the “realistic” nutritionist after all 🙂 And guess what?

So I’m not giving it up. Although I could eat a pound of bacon for dinner and be the happiest little grease monkey around, I decided to, instead, mix it with my other sweet loves; goat cheese and butternut squash. I could, easily, eat these in glutton for the rest of my life and die (at 30) quite happy. However, I treat bacon and goat cheese as a speciality, as a treat, something to reward myself with. Reason #1: I’m portly enough. Reason #2: I’m broke. After my rough days last week, I decided to make something special on Sunday, something that would be a great kick off to a BRAND NEW week. So, I bought goat cheese and I bought bacon (and a vat of wine, obviously) and whipped up a delicious dinner.

A goat cheese, butternut squash and bacon pasta served with a dash of basil and extra virgin olive oil. Easy, simple but still really flavorful. Plus, it tastes EVEN BETTER the next day. I’m serious. I had it for lunch and nearly had a foodgasm at work. I know, totes appropriate.

Whether you are having a rough day, rough week or just have a strong hankerin’ for bacon, this dish is perfect for you! Because, as y’all know, bacon makes EVERYTHING better.

Bacon, Squash & Goat Cheese Pasta

Yield: 4 1 cup servings
Prep time: 1 hour
Cook time: 15 minutes

What You’ll Need:

  • 5-7 slices of bacon
  • 4 cups of chopped butternut squash
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • 5 ounces of fresh goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 package of whole wheat linguine
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
  • Liberal dashes of salt and pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of basil as garnish

How to Make it:

  • Heat oven to 400 degrees. Slice a large butternut squash into fourths and place into a deep baking dish. Pour 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil over squash. Liberally coat in salt, pepper and basil. Roast for about 40 minutes or until squash is softened. Put aside to cool.

  • In a large pot, heat 5 cups of water to a boil with salt. Add pasta and cook until ad-dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Chop bacon into bite size pieces. Place bacon in a medium pan and cook for abot 3 minutes, or until the bacon starts to crisp up. Drain out about 1/2 the grease and put back on heat.
  • Add in choppd onions and garlic. Cook on medium heat until onions and garlic are carmelized and bacon is crispy. Add in chopped squash, salt and pepper and more basil. Take off heat.
  • Crumble goat cheese over the squash mixture and serve over noodles. Add more basil as garnish.

 

And enjoy every single bacon filled, goat cheese laden delicious forkful. Because you only live once, might as well enjoy it. (and eat bacon).

Nutritional information per cup: 385 calories, 9 grams of fat, 16 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber.

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Comments

  1. Posted by Jessica Trimble on
    Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
    Squash? Bacon? It can't get much better.
  2. Posted by Susanne Voros on
    Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
    This looks awesome!  I love the "This girl loves bacon" sign lol!  I love bacon!!!! I'm going to have to make this.
  3. Posted by sarah on
    Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
    goat cheese.. bacon.. oh girlfriend
  4. Posted by sarah on
    Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
    you've outdone yourself this time ;)
  5. Posted by Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. on
    Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
    I can has this pasta??
  6. Posted by Lauren on
    Thursday, October 13th, 2011
    Beautiful pics! Perfect for fall....or anytime! Yum :)
  7. Posted by Carolyn on
    Thursday, October 13th, 2011
    I'm with you on the bacon.  Seriously good stuff.  And I just love what you did with it hear, with the roast squash too?  So good!
  8. Posted by Ann Mc on
    Thursday, October 13th, 2011
    Holy cow that's incredible!  This girl loves bacon, too!  Buzzed!
  9. Posted by Jen on
    Thursday, October 13th, 2011
    Love the bacon and goat cheese added! Yummers!
  10. Thursday, October 13th, 2011
    Yum! What a great combo and a great way to make a pasta dish that not only tastes good but is relatively good for you. And yeah... bacon never hurts hehehe
  11. Posted by Elizabeth Brunetti on
    Thursday, October 13th, 2011
    Oh my goodness gracious!  Goat cheese, bacon, and butternut squash are three of my all-time favorite foods - I can't believe how good this dish looks - I'm immediately saving it to my "Recipes to Try" bookmarks folder!
    • Posted by The Realistic Nutritionist on
      Sunday, October 16th, 2011
      Yay, please let me know how it turn out!
  12. Posted by Grubarazzi on
    Friday, October 14th, 2011
    I've combined bacon with butternut squash a few times already this fall. To me, it's the perfect combo! This looks so super tasty. Made my mouth water like a pavlovian doggy. 
    • Posted by The Realistic Nutritionist on
      Sunday, October 16th, 2011
      You are so funny!! Isn't that seriously the best flavor combination?
  13. Posted by juliehiggins5 on
    Friday, October 14th, 2011
    Everything that I love...all wrapped up in a pasta!  I'm gonna have to try this recipe...thanks for sharing!
  14. Posted by Lindsey@Lindselicious on
    Monday, October 17th, 2011
    OH man, I need to make this.  It has all my favorite stuff in there!!! Genius girl! 
  15. Posted by foodie @ Tasting Spot on
    Monday, October 17th, 2011
    i really like your food pictures and want to invite you to try out tastingspot.com. it's for anyone that just wants another place to submit photos and share it will other foodies. It’s still in beta version, but would love for you to start adding some photos and help get it going.
  16. Posted by Shannon on
    Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
    I WANT
  17. Posted by PolaM on
    Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
    This girl loves bacon, goat cheese and butternut squash! You created my dream dish!
  18. Posted by PolaM on
    Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
    This girl loves bacon, goat cheese and butternut squash! You created my dream dish!
  19. Posted by sarah on
    Friday, October 21st, 2011
    his girl also loves bacon. And this dish sounds so fantastic! Thinking about making something like it for dinner tonight!!
  20. Posted by Julie on
    Friday, October 21st, 2011
    I agree, bacon is the best meat on the planet and pork belly is a close second!  This looks super yummy and a great way to make bacon healthier.  Thanks for sharing!!
    • Posted by Julie on
      Friday, October 21st, 2011
      Oh!!  I forgot to tell you if you haven't already, try bacon vodka.  In a bloody mary, its amazing!  
      • Posted by claire on
        Friday, October 21st, 2011
        THAT'S REAL??? OMG. Must try.
  21. Posted by Abraham Chacko on
    Sunday, October 30th, 2011
    Hi, first time here...love your space..wonderful recipes... Susan from www.chackoskitchen.com
  22. Posted by Amy on
    Monday, October 31st, 2011
    I am a vegetarian, but this looks amazing, and I would be all over it if I still ate bacon!  The flavors sound wonderful, squash is so good this time of the year!
  23. Posted by Steph on
    Monday, October 8th, 2012
    Made this for dinner tonight with some whole wheat spaghetti. Really good, and pretty easy! It was the first time I've ever made butternut squash, and it came out great. I really liked the combination of flavors and textures. Thanks!