BLT PASTA

Filed under Main Dishes
Ingredients
16 oz. dry pasta
12 slices bacon
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 cups chicken broth
2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions
Slice the bacon into 1/2 inch pieces.  Cook in a large skillet until crispy. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels.  Leave about 1 tablespoon of drippings in skillet.  Cook pasta according to package directions until just al dente; drain.  Add onion, garlic and red pepper flakes to bacon drippings in skillet.  Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until onions are soft.  Stir in chicken broth and diced tomatoes and bring to a simmer.  Add cubed cream cheese and stir until cream cheese is melted and smooth.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste.  Add pasta, grape tomatoes, bacon and parsley and cook until heated through, about 2 more minutes.  Top with Parmesan cheese and serve.

Let's Dish
This was a big hit at my house! Okay, some of my picky eaters removed the tomatoes, but they don't know what they were missing.  I love that this dish uses fresh tomatoes in addition to the canned, and the cream cheese adds just a touch of creaminess to the sauce.  There isn't any lettuce in this BLT pasta, but let's be honest, that would just be weird.  The parsley adds a nice touch of green though. This recipe makes enough to feed a crowd, so if you're feeding less than that, you might want to consider making half.  Although, the leftovers are pretty good!

Who Dished It Up First
Adapted from It's a Keeper.