Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Creamy Fusilli with Yellow Squash and Bacon


Ingredients

Serves 4.

* Coarse salt and ground pepper

* 8 ounces fusilli

* 4 slices bacon, sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch strips

* 4 medium yellow squash (8 ounces each), quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise

* 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

* 1/2 cup heavy cream

* 1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese, plus more for serving

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta, and return to pot.

2. While pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium. Add bacon, and cook until browned and crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain (leave bacon fat in skillet).

3. Place skillet over medium-high heat. Add squash and garlic to fat in skillet; season with salt and pepper, and toss well. Cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until squash begins to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Uncover, and continue to cook until liquid is evaporated and squash is tender, 2 to 3 minutes more.

4. Add cream and cooked pasta to skillet; toss well, and cook until cream begins to thicken. Remove from heat; stir in Asiago, and add enough reserved pasta water to create a sauce that coats pasta. Serve topped with reserved bacon and more cheese.


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