Whole Wheat Pasta with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Red Onion
Pasta.
Bacon.
Mushrooms.
Wine.
Cheese.
Do I have your attention?
I shared this photo on my newest addiction, Instagram (my user name is rachelcooksblog) and every time I look at it, it makes me hungry:
Yep, even through the blurriness, I get hungry. All of my favorite things.
This is a super simple, easy to throw together meal for any day of the week. It’s easy enough for every day but just fancy enough for guests as well. Another great thing about it is that you can customize it depending on what you have in the house. Just make sure you have bacon. Or pancetta. Yum!
Whole Wheat Pasta with Bacon, Mushrooms and Red Onion
inspired by Martha Stewart Magazine
5 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into ~½-inch chunks
1 large red onion, cut into slices
12 ounces button mushrooms, sliced or halved depending on size (try to get them all to be close to the same size)
10 ounces baby spinach
½ cup dry white wine
1 pound whole wheat pasta–look for something on the short side
1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley, chopped
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
salt and pepper to taste
1. Heat a large pot of water over high heat for pasta. Meanwhile, in a very large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon to a paper-towel lined plate. Remove all but ~1 tablespoon of grease from the pan. Raise heat to medium-high. To pan, add onions and salt/pepper to taste and cook until onions begin to soften (~4 minutes). Throw in mushrooms and cook until mushrooms are browned and onions are transparent (~3 minutes longer). Add wine, stir, and add spinach on top, cover for ~2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until spinach has wilted.
2. When pasta water boils, salt the water and add the pasta. Cook as directed on the package. Do not drain the water! Using a strainer or a slotted spoon, transfer the pasta to the pan with the vegetables. Add bacon. Stir, and add in pasta water as need to create a nice sauce–about 1/2 cup to 1 cup.
3. Take the pan off the heat, and add parsley and Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine evenly. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
4. Serve with additional cheese!
Verdict: Sooooo good. It had a strange addictive quality to it, you just could not stop eating it. Even when I had stuffed myself, I might have picked out one or two pieces of bacon…
Husband’s take: He loved this. I mean…loved it. I was a little surprised because I was worried that there wouldn’t be enough meat, but he could not get enough of this stuff.
Changes I would make: None.
Difficulty: Easy. Just make sure you have everything prepped before beginning: bacon cut, onions sliced, mushrooms washed and sliced, etc. You get the point. I even measured my wine so it was ready to pour in!
PS: How cute are these mushrooms? Let me tell you though–they got less and less cute as I was cleaning what seemed like a million of them! Don’t be lured in by their cuteness, normal-sized mushrooms taste exactly the same.
Hi, I'm Rachel! This site features a wide variety of recipes with one common thread: easy preparations. I love creating accessible and delicious food that will please the whole family. Hope you enjoy! (
I am dying over your pictures – they are so pretty, and this dish just looks fantastic. I am trying this one – my husband will love it!!
If only I could get my fiance to eat mushrooms!
This looks great! I love easy pasta dishes, they are my go to during the week. And how can you go wrong when bacon is involved? :)
lost me at mushrooms… but everything else looks delicious! I’ve found that in my aversion to mushrooms, i can just add a tiny bit more of everything else and they aren’t missed… definitely trying this soon
This would still be great without the mushrooms–but I’m a mushroom lover :)
Ohhhh man, yum. I can totally see how this would be addicting! I feel like this is one of those dishes where I’d go back to the pan and sneak just a biiiit more with my fork. ;)
I loooove pasta dishes like this. Bring on the bacon!
mmm best combination of ingredients! i love them all! this looks so good..i want that whole pan ;)
Yes please! and that pasta is so cute. I’ve never used that one.
HAHA too funny about the little mushrooms, they are pains to clean.
Great looking pasta idea, thanks for sharing.
I love everything about this dish! Looking at the photos make me sooo hungry. Thanks for the recipe :)
“Happy Cooking”
Ooh you definitely have my attention! I love pasta dishes like this that are quick to pull together but are really tasty.
I love the look of this pasta dish, Rachel. Definitely worth a try in my kitchen sometime soon! :) Thanks for sharing!
love the new look of the blog and the pictures! They are incredible- speaking of- this pasta is divine
All my favorites in one dish! Come cook for me tonight!
I love my pasta dishes and this one is definitely going on my menu for dinner! Great combination of ingreadients!
Such a great combo of ingredients! My husband wouldn’t touch it with the mushrooms, onion and spinach, but more for me, right? :)
oh my goodness, this looks soooo good! this is so my type of meal – i absolutely love all of the ingredients. will definitely be trying this next week – thank you for sharing!
I just discovered your blog when searching for “healthy pumpkin bread.” Well, that led me to this recipe and many others. I love this blog, the recipes, the fun way you write them, and your sense of humor! Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much Susan!
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