Holy Smoked Bacon and Mushroom Penne

When I was in university, I created this flavorful penne pasta recipe using my favorite ingredients: smoked bacon, button mushrooms and garlic. It became a hit with my family, friends and even special guests at home. It’s a wonderful recipe because it’s easy, convenient and yummy to boot! Serve while hot with buttered crusty bread. Enjoy!

Original recipe makes 6 servings

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package dried penne pasta
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 cup chopped smoked bacon
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
3 tablespoons minced garlic
3 cups chicken stock
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

PREP

15 mins
COOK

15 mins
READY IN

30 mins

Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pot, and cook until pasta is almost tender, about 6 minutes. Drain.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until browned. Stir in the garlic and cook for a few minutes, then add the mushrooms. Cook, stirring constantly, for a couple of minutes until the mushrooms begin to soften.
Pour in the chicken stock, and bring to a boil. Allow to simmer over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Add cooked pasta to the pan, and stir until coated. Simmer uncovered until the sauce has reduced to just a few teaspoons in the bottom. Place generous servings onto plates, and top with Parmesan cheese.