Dallas/Fort Worth Muscle Car Pasta
Creamy pasta with crispy bacon, spinach, and a parmesan crust, inspired by classic Texas road trips. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs penne pasta, bacon, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 4 slices bacon
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz penne pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Step 2: Cook 4 bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove bacon, crumble, and set aside. Leave 1 tbsp bacon fat in the skillet.
- Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the bacon fat and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Add 1/2 cup heavy cream and simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 cups fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Add the drained penne pasta, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss until the sauce coats the pasta.
- Step 5: Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese until melted, then fold in the crumbled bacon. Serve immediately with extra parmesan for topping.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dallas/Fort Worth Muscle Car Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Dallas/Fort Worth Muscle Car Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Dallas/Fort Worth Muscle Car Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Dallas/Fort Worth Muscle Car Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Dallas/Fort Worth Muscle Car Pasta?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
