Rich & Creamy Blue Cheese & Bacon Pasta Recipe Is Crazy Good (8 Ingredients, 20 Minutes) by Elisa Schmitz

If you like blue cheese and bacon, then this is the pasta recipe for you. This rich and creamy bleu cheese and bacon pasta recipe is crazy good! The bold flavor of blue cheese coupled with the pure decadence of bacon – a favorite flavor pairing in everything from burgers to salads – makes this easy pasta recipe a newfound comfort food staple in our house.

Bleu cheese is known for its strong, tangy and earthy flavor. But blue cheese is also rich in nutrients and provides some interesting health benefits as well. For example, bleu cheese contains a compound known as spermidine, which may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to WebMD: "While the exact reason for this effect remains unclear, researchers believe that spermidine has a positive effect on cardiac muscle cells and other parts of the cardiovascular system. The presence of spermidine in blue cheese is one possible source of what health experts refer to as the 'French paradox,' a phenomenon in which fewer people in France die of cardiovascular disease despite consuming, on average, more saturated fat." Fascinating! Learn more about the health benefits of blue cheese.

This smooth and satisfying pasta recipe is so flavorful. The addition of fresh onions, spinach and and mushrooms adds even more nutrition to the decadent pasta. Check out the health benefits of onions, the health benefits of spinach and the health benefits of mushrooms. But the flavor profile is all about the blue cheese and bacon. As well it should be!

Here are the eight ingredients you'll need for this irresistible high-protein recipe: extra virgin olive oil, onion, fresh mushrooms, fresh baby spinach, blue cheese salad dressing, short pasta of choice (regular or gluten-free pasta), crisp chopped bacon and crumbled blue cheese. This simple pasta recipe is ready in only about 20 minutes.

Serve this comforting pasta recipe all on its own for dinner or as a side dish with your favorite proteins. For an added touch, garnish your favorite fresh herb, such as basil or parsley. A simple and delicious lunch, too!

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 8 ounces baby bella cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 8 ounces fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup blue cheese salad dressing (store-bought or make your own)
• 12 ounces (1 package) short pasta, uncooked (I used rotini)
• 1 cup crispy cooked bacon, chopped
• 1 cup blue cheese, crumbled

Here's how to make it:

1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside. (You can use regular pasta, gluten-free pasta, chickpea pasta, etc.)
   
2. While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce. In a large skillet or saucepan with sides over medium heat, add the olive oil, onions and mushrooms. Stir to combine and cook until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes.
   
3. Add the spinach and cook until wilted and integrated, about 2 minutes.
   
4. Add the blue cheese dressing. Cook, stirring, until everything is integrated, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
   
5. Add the pasta and toss to combine.
   
6. Spoon into bowls.
   
    
7. Top with bleu cheese and bacon then serve.
   
    
8. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave.

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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