If you don’t like brussel sprouts, this dish is not likely to change your mind. But if you LOVE brussel sprouts, then hurray! I really enjoyed this dish, but it’s not the best thing I’ve ever made. Oddly enough, the Hubster is NOT a fan of brussel sprouts, but still really enjoyed this pasta. Probably because the sauce is basically bacon grease.
Ingredients
- 4 servings of dry pasta
- 4 slices thick cut bacon
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 cups brussel sprouts, washed and cut in half lengthwise (or in 1/4s. I wish I did this)
- Salt
- Olive oil
Let’s do it!
- Boil the pasta according to directions, but for 1 minute less than specified. When it’s done, take the pasta out with a strainer/pasta ladle and put aside. Keep the pasta water. While that’s going on, do the rest of the steps.
- Cut bacon widthwise into thin strips. Fry in a pan until almost crispy. Pour out all but 1 tbsp of the bacon grease and put the bacon in a dish for later. If you’re me, you’ll be pouring the bacon grease into a mason jar to put in the fridge for later. It’s great for making greens taste (and be) less healthy.
- Throw the brussel sprouts in the pan and stir to coat. Then leave them alone so that they can brown for a few minutes. Stir every few minutes so that every surface is browned, but nothing burns.
- Add 2 tbsp or so of olive oil, bacon and pasta. Add one or two ladles of the pasta water, which is full of starch and will help the pasta absorb the flavour.
- Stir this around until the pasta is cooked and the water is absorbed.
- Season with salt (I added a LOT of salt), or parmesan cheese, which will probably mean you can use less salt.
Lunch it up!
I know I have strict rules about not microwaving pasta, but this is all mixed together, and it’s really not as good cold. I just put this on a dish and nuked it, and it tasted just as good as the night before. Maybe even better!