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Creamy Angel Hair Pasta with Bacon and Shrimp

Creamy Angel Hair Pasta with Bacon and Shrimp

This Creamy Angel Hair Pasta with Bacon and Shrimp is super creamy and rich with lots of salty bacon, garlic, and a little baby spinach. This easy meal can be made start to finish in about 20 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian-American
Servings 4
Calories 870 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces Angel hair pasta
  • 8 slices bacon diced
  • 1 pound medium to large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 14-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups baby spinach

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook angel hair according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta.
  • Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel lined plate. Pour all but 1 tablespoon of grease out of the skillet.
  • Place the skillet over medium high heat. Add the shrimp and minced garlic. Cook in the bacon grease, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn pink. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Set aside.
  • To the same skillet, add the drained diced tomatoes, heavy cream, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes to allow it to thicken slightly.
  • Turn the heat to low. Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese and freshly shredded Parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
  • Add the baby spinach, cooked angel hair pasta, and the reserved shrimp and garlic mixture to the skillet. Stir everything together to combine, allowing the spinach to wilt slightly. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir the reserved crispy bacon back into the pasta.
  • If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved starchy pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Serve immediately with additional freshly shredded Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

Angel hair pasta cooks very quickly; overcooking can make it mushy. Keep an eye on it and taste test a minute before the package directions suggest.
Be sure the heat is on low when adding the cheeses to the cream. High heat can cause the sauce to separate or become grainy.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pasta will absorb the sauce as it sits, so add a splash of milk or cream when reheating.