Cheesy Pasta With Bacon and Kale (Pasta Alla Gricia)
In this modern take on an ancient dish, bite-size bits of kale add color and nutrients. This one-pot wonder comes together quickly.
Storage Notes: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reserve a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water to moisten the pasta, if reheating.
Servings: 2
Ingredients
- Kosher salt optional
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil with more for pasta
- 8 ounces bacon, guanciale or pancetta, cut into 3/4-inch cubes or strips
- 10 1/2 ounces curly kale chopped or torn into bite-size pieces stems removed,
- 1 cup 3 1/2 ounces finely grated pecorino Romano cheese or Parmesan cheese
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot filled with 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add salt, if desired. Cook the pasta in the boiling water for 7 minutes, about 4 minutes less than the package instructions indicate.
- When the pasta is cooked, drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the cooking water. Immediately drizzle the drained pasta with olive oil. Use tongs or a wooden spoon to toss and coat the pasta with the oil. Dry the pot with a kitchen towel and it set over medium heat. Add the 1 tablespoon of oil and heat until shimmering. Add the bacon and cook, stirring frequently, until the fat is mostly rendered, about 5 minutes. If bits of meat are sticking to the bottom of the pot, add a splash of pasta water and use a wooden spoon to loosen them.
- Add the kale and cook, stirring, until it wilts and starts to brown in spots, 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low. Fluff the cooked pasta with a fork and then add it, the cheese and 1 cup of the reserved pasta water to the pot. Stir vigorously until the cheese melts and transforms into a creamy sauce that coats the pasta, 4 to 5 minutes. If the sauce is too thick or dry, add more pasta water, 2 tablespoons at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Taste and season with pepper, as desired.
Notes
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/voraciously/wp/2020/01/21/pasta-cheese-and-bacon-come-together-in-a-simple-indulgent-recipe-that-will-have-them-asking-for-seconds/
