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    Home > Pasta

    Cheesy Pasta with Bacon and Kale

    Published: Nov 9, 2015 · Modified: Mar 24, 2020 by Nicky Corbishley

    Go to Recipe Print Recipe

    My Cheesy Pasta with Bacon and Kale is a super speedy dinner for those busy weeknights!

    Cheesy Pasta with Bacon and Kale - ready in 15 minutes!

    I've been making various versions of this Cheesy Pasta with Bacon and Kale cheesy since I was at high school.

    Back then it usually consisted of pasta, cheese, cream, bacon and sausage.  Sounds pretty unhealthy, but it was so good, I even used to take it in cold for my packed lunch if I could get away with it.

    This version actually isn't that far removed, although I refuse to serve up dinner nowadays without at least one serving of veg. So for this version I've swapped out the sausage for a huge pile of kale.

    Don't despair though, even if you are in dire need of some devilish creamy, carb-iness, and the green-ness of this meal is putting you off, I should tell you that the kale is wilted in bacon fat before being stirred into the pasta.  'Two steps forward, one step back' springs to mind.....

    Cheesy Pasta with Bacon and Kale - ready in 15 minutes!

    If that's going just a little too far for you, then simply add the kale to the pasta for the last minute of cooking.

    If you get that kettle on to boil as soon as you walk in the kitchen, you can be eating this for dinner in 15 minutes.

    Cheesy Pasta with Bacon and Kale - ready in 15 minutes!

    Quick hand update:

    I've still got a finger full of blue stitches, but they're finally coming out on Wednesday!

    I ended up taking the bandage off after a week.
    The hospital had initially told me to keep it on until the stitches came out, but come on!

    3 weeks??

    It's me we're talking about.
    Despite trying to keep it clean, I had that thing covered in cake mix and ketchup within a week.

    The nurse let me take the bandage off, and i've been scaring the kids with my Frankenstein hand ever since 😀

    It means I've been able to get back in the kitchen a little more whilst wearing gloves, but I can't wait to get back in there properly and have my hands squishing through bread dough and rolling meatballs again!

    In the meantime, fast, naughty, carby, bacon-filled dinners will just have to keep me going (sigh).

    More Italian Inspired Recipes

    Hungry for more? Check out these Italian inspired recipes:

    Amatriciana Pasta

    Homemade Pasta

    Chicken Bacon Pasta Bake

    Spaghetti Bolognese

    Tagliatelle with Scorched Veg and Roast Chicken

    Italian inspired Loaded Flatbreads 

    Tuscan Chicken

    The Cheesy Pasta with Bacon and Kale Recipe:

    Cheesy Pasta with Bacon and Kale

    By: Nicky Corbishley
    Cheesy Pasta with Bacon and Kale - ready in 15 minutes!
    5 from 3 votes
    Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 mins
    Cook Time 13 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 578 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 350 g pasta - such a fusilli or penne (use gluten free pasta if required)
    • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
    • 8 rashers bacon
    • 150 g kale
    • 100 g sharp cheddar cheese
    • 120 ml cream

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Bring a large pan of water to the boil and cook the pasta according to the pack instructions (usually 10-12 minutes).
    • Whilst the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a frying pan until very hot, then cook the bacon until browned and crispy (about 5 minutes). Turn a couple of times during cooking. Remove from pan and chop into small pieces.
    • Keep the frying pan on the heat, but turn the heat down to low (there should still be some bacon fat in there). Place the kale in the bacon pan and let it cook in the hot oil for 1 minute. Turn off the heat.
    • When the pasta is cooked, drain it, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
    • Put the pasta back in the pan and place over a low heat. Stir in the cheese and cream, then once the cheese has melted, stir in the kale and bacon. Heat through for 1 minute. If the pasta looks a little dry, add in a good splash of the pasta cooking water.
    • Divide between four bowls and serve.

    ✎ Notes

    Nutritional Information is per serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 578kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 20gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 226mgPotassium: 426mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 4440IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 274mgIron: 1.9mg
    Keywords Any Time Of the year, Kale Recipe Ideas
    Tried this recipe?Mention @KitchenSanctuary or tag #KitchenSanctuary on Instagram!
    Cheesy Pasta with Bacon and Kale - ready in 15 minutes!

    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

    Read More
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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Ben Wolfinger says

      January 31, 2023 at 4:58 pm

      5 stars
      I used plain greek yogurt instead of cream with a splash of the pasta water and it turned out great.

      Reply
    2. Danielle Wolter says

      December 06, 2018 at 1:55 pm

      5 stars
      So hard to cook with stitches or bandages on your hand! This is ultimate comfort food. I'm glad you wilt the kale with bacon - sounds so good. what a great winter meal 🙂

      Reply
    3. Tom says

      May 14, 2018 at 2:48 pm

      5 stars
      Tea sorted, this looks delicious and quick. Perfect for midweek dinner after work.

      Reply
    4. Laurie H. says

      November 12, 2015 at 10:13 pm

      Sounds good! What kind of cheese did you use?

      Reply
      • Nicky Corbishley says

        November 13, 2015 at 2:28 pm

        Doh, can't believe I missed that out. I've updated the recipe now, thanks Laurie. I used a sharp cheddar cheese.

        Reply
    5. Joshua Hampton says

      November 11, 2015 at 3:30 pm

      I'm happy to hear your hand is doing better. Scaring kids with Frankenstein hands, now that's hilarious. And this pasta dish looks awesome. I love anything with bacon in it.

      Reply
      • Nicky Corbishley says

        November 13, 2015 at 2:26 pm

        tee hee thanks Joshua 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

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