Penne Pasta with Spinach and Bacon is a comforting dish that balances smoky, savory flavors with vibrant greens in every bite. It’s a simple yet satisfying meal, perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy dinner that feels indulgent without being overly heavy. The combination of crisp bacon, tender spinach, and perfectly cooked penne creates a harmony of textures and tastes that always hits the mark.
The key to this dish is the bacon. Cooked until golden and slightly crisp, it adds deep, smoky flavor and a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the softness of the spinach. As the bacon cooks, it releases flavorful fat, which becomes a natural base for the pasta sauce, bringing richness without the need for heavy cream.
Fresh spinach is added just before the pasta finishes cooking. It wilts gently into the warm pan, retaining its bright color and subtle sweetness. This green addition not only boosts the dish’s nutritional value but also adds a refreshing lightness that balances the saltiness of the bacon. Garlic and a pinch of chili flakes enhance the aroma and add a gentle kick, creating layers of flavor that make the dish feel more complex than its simple ingredients suggest.
The penne itself is cooked al dente, providing the perfect bite to hold the sauce and bits of bacon. A touch of pasta water stirred into the pan helps the flavors cling to each piece, making every forkful flavorful and satisfying. A sprinkle of parmesan cheese at the end adds a final savory note, rounding out the dish with creamy umami richness.
Penne Pasta with Spinach and Bacon is as versatile as it is delicious. Serve it with a simple arugula salad for a lighter meal or enjoy it on its own for a hearty, comforting plate. It’s a dish that comes together quickly, yet always impresses with its balance of textures, flavors, and colors.
This recipe proves that simple ingredients, treated with care, can create something extraordinary. It’s a dish that warms the soul, delights the taste buds, and makes you appreciate the beauty of classic, home-cooked pasta.
Ingredients
- 100 grams penne pasta dry
- 4 slices bacon chopped
- 2 cups spinach fresh
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted.
- Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the skillet. Toss to combine with the bacon, spinach, and garlic.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, topped with grated parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
Bacon and spinach? Not a good combo in my opinion. 2 stars.
Pasta is my favorite! I used turkey bacon instead and it was still yum! 😋
I tried this last night. It was good but I think it needed more flavor. Maybe some chili flakes next time?
This is the best recipe ever! The bacon really makes it tasty. 5 stars!
So easy to make! I added some sun-dried tomatoes too. Definitely making again.
I love that idea with sun-dried tomatoes! Bet it added a great flavor. Can’t wait to try it myself!
Not worth the trouble. Just boil pasta and throw some spinach on it. Easy peasy.
Yum!! Even my kids loved it. Will definitely share this with my friends.
I don’t know about this. Is 100 grams enough pasta for a whole meal? 🤔
I think 100 grams is enough if you’re adding other ingredients like bacon and spinach! Sounds delicious! 😋
No way, that’s not enough for a meal! You need at least 150 grams for me. 😅
Not gonna lie, I expected more sauce. There’s just oil + pasta water would’ve helped—next time I’ll add a splash of pasta water before tossing.
Pretty good, but 2 cups spinach feels like a lot—ended up shrinking down a ton. I guess that’s normal. Would do 1.5 cups next time.
Ok ok this is good. I was worried the garlic would burn but it smelled amazing. I used cracked pepper like crazy lol.
Meh. It tasted fine, but it needed something like red pepper flakes or a squeeze of lemon to wake it up. Also, 1 minute for garlic felt a bit short.
The instructions are clear, but I think 1 minute for garlic is too long if your pan runs hot. Mine got slightly browned.
First time cooking pasta and I nailed it! Will definitely make this again. Thanks!
I don’t know, I think it needs more seasoning. It was kinda bland for my taste.
Bacon took forever to crisp for me, and I accidentally minced garlic too fine so it cooked faster. Still delicious though—kinda forgiving.
Easy weeknight pasta, and the spinach actually stays flavorful instead of turning into sadness. Parmesan at the end is the right move.
Too salty for my taste. I think it needs less bacon or something. Just my opinion!
Nah, I like it salty! It’s supposed to be packed with flavor. Just don’t put so much bacon if you want it less salty.
I thought it was great! The saltiness really adds flavor. Maybe try using less salt next time?
Made this tonight—so simple and the bacon-garlic combo is legit. I used a bit more spinach and it turned out great.
Nice! More spinach usually makes it even better—love the bacon-garlic flavor here.
Pasta good! I love bacon!!! 😊
It was good but kinda salty? I didn’t even measure the salt. Next time I’ll season lightly and adjust.
Yeah, that can happen—bacon + parmesan both bring some saltiness. Next time I’d start with just a couple pinches, then taste after tossing the pasta, and only add more if it needs it.
Love spinach and bacon, so this hit the spot. Parmesan on top makes it feel restaurant-y.
I followed it exactly and it felt a little salty only at the end, even though I “to taste” seasoned. Maybe my bacon was saltier. Otherwise good.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about spinach in with bacon and pasta, but it actually works. The garlic smell was unreal.
I totally get the skepticism—spinach + bacon + pasta sounds weird until you try it. The garlic + crispy bacon smell is honestly the best part. 😄
This was surprisingly good. The bacon + garlic combo really makes it feel like a real comfort meal. I might add a splash of pasta water next time for extra sauce.
Y’all sure pasta is good for health? Too much fat with bacon, I dunno.
I get your concern, but everything in moderation! Some fat is good for you, especially if you balance it with veggies like spinach!
I tried it with turkey bacon since I don’t eat pork. It was okay, but not as rich. Still got eaten, so… decent.
I wasn’t sure about the bacon and spinach together, but wow, it works! Can’t believe I doubted it.
Made this for dinner tonight—super fast and the bacon + garlic combo is awesome. I used a little extra parmesan and it was perfect.
This turned out amazing! The bacon with the spinach is a perfect combo. Definitely making it again.
Why are you putting spinach in pasta? That’s just weird. I prefer my pasta without greens, thanks.
Ew, spinach? No thanks. I’d rather have just the bacon and pasta. That sounds much tastier.
I think the spinach adds a great flavor and healthiness to the dish! Can’t go wrong with greens!
Easy and quick! I liked it but my kids didn’t…they’re picky eaters. Maybe they don’t like green stuff? 🤷♀️
Honestly, I think it’s just bacon that makes everything better! My kids love anything with bacon in it. Maybe just skip the green stuff? 😂
I totally get it! Kids can be so picky with greens. Maybe you could try blending the spinach into a sauce next time? 🤔
Pretty tasty, but I think 1 minute for the garlic might be too short if your skillet runs cool—mine needed a little longer. Still, would cook again.
The steps are clear, and “al dente” really matters here. I didn’t have fresh spinach so I used frozen, still worked (just squeezed it dry).
Pasta yummy.
I don’t get why you only use olive oil—seems dry. I added a spoon of cream cheese and it was way better. Maybe that’s cheating but meh.
This recipe is amazing! The combination of flavors is perfect and it was super easy to make. My family loved it!
This tastes like a restaurant dish for cheap. I added chili flakes and it bumped it up. Would make again!
I followed the steps pretty much, but mine turned out a bit dry. Maybe I should’ve reserved some pasta water? Still tasty though.
Ahh yeah, reserving pasta water is a game changer—starchy water helps it cling together and keeps it from feeling dry. Next time, try adding a splash (like 1/4 cup) while tossing.
Mine came out a little dry because I probably drained the pasta too aggressively. Next time I’ll reserve some water and maybe use a touch more olive oil.
I’m not sure 100 grams penne is enough for a full serving—seemed small for how much bacon/spinach I used. Still tasty though.
Yum.
Not bad for a quick recipe, but I’d never call bacon + spinach + garlic a “sauce.” It’s more like sautéed toppings. Would be 5 stars if it had cream or a proper sauce.
1/4 cup parmesan seemed low to me. I’m the type that puts cheese on everything, so I definitely sprinkled more at the end.
I tried it and it worked but i was confused: do you add salt before or after? Like, i salted the water and then again in the pan… whoops. Still ended up okay!