Bacon Pasta Delight

Recipe courtesy of Darla Shine, author of Happy Housewives. A quick dinner that gives a weekday supper an elegant feel. Serve with big green salad and breadsticks.

Recipe Ingredients:

8 strips bacon, thinly sliced
1 (1-pound) box angel hair pasta
1/2 white onion, very thinly sliced into rings
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup parsley, chopped, plus extra for garnish
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese - plus extra for garnish
1 large egg
black pepper, to taste

Cooking Directions:

1. Prepare angel hair pasta according to directions on box. If necessary, cover to keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, place bacon in cold 12-inch, deep skillet; cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels, reserving 3 tablespoons bacon drippings in skillet. Pat excess fat from bacon using additional paper towels. When cool, break or cut bacon into 1/2-inch pieces; set aside.
3. Cook onion in bacon pan with drippings over medium heat for 4 minutes stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic and salt. Continue cooking about 1 minute more or until onion begins to become translucent.
4. Stir cream, chicken broth and parsley into onion mixture. Bring mixture just to boil; reduce heat to a simmer. Add Parmesan cheese. Stir well, scrapping bits from bottom of skillet.
5. Drain pasta and add to onion mixture.
6. Beat 1 egg in a small bowl and then pour over the hot pasta mixture. Gently toss until evenly coated. Mix well and remove mixture from heat. Add bacon into pasta. Lightly sprinkle with pepper and additional parsley and Parmesan cheese.

Makes 8 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/8 of recipe): Calories: 330 calories; Protein: 15 grams; Fat: 16 grams; Sodium: 490 milligrams; Cholesterol: 75 milligrams; Saturated Fat: 8 grams; Carbohydrates: 32 grams.

Recipe provided courtesy of National Pork Board.