Featured comment
The picture looked so tasty that I had to try this, and it did not disappoint! Very tasty, and not just on a “healthy” scale. Plus, it was husband approved! Thanks for sharing!
Regina
What did you do this weekend?
I took advantage of the opportunity to eat blissful creamy bacon and pumpkin pasta and snuggle with a pug.
Yes, I said snuggle with a pug. I was snug as a bug in a rug with a pug. And a mug.
Gahhhh.
That sweet wrinkly face gives me a tingly nose and shivers. Sheeeee’s sooooo cuuuuute! I might absolutely do have a puppy crush on her.
And you probably already know that I have a hungry girl crush on this pumpkin pasta.
Yeah, I know what you’re thinking.
Pumpkin in pasta. Um, questionable.
Long story short, we need to stop judging our favorite fall vegetable. fruit? …ingredient. How did pumpkin get stereotyped as an exclusively sweet ingredient? It’s so versatile and healthy. And healthy is a good thing this week. Cause come Turkey Thursday, you know what’s goin down. Seconds, thirds, and multiple desserts with whipped cream are what’s goin down. JOY.
If you liked this butternut squash mac and cheese with caramelized onions, apples, and bacon (which is pretty much impossible not to like), then this pasta is going to rock.your.socks.off. And it might rock some pounds off, too? That’s a fool-proof diet plan, if you ask me. I love when eating a huge bowl of pasta makes your jeggings fit better.
Speaking of jeggings, I’ve been majorly over-wearing them because of their comfy wonderfulness. Help?
Healthy Bacon & Pumpkin Pasta
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
This healthy bacon and pumpkin pasta is made with a creamy pumpkin sauce, whole wheat pasta shells, and crumbled bacon. 300 calories per serving.
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry whole grain shells
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 ounce light cream cheese
- 1/4 cup fat free evaporated milk
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
- 1/4 cup sliced scallions or green onions
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to directions. Drain and return to pan. Reduce heat to low.
- Add pumpkin through salt and pepper and stir until cream cheese is melted and mixture is warmed through.
- Divide between two bowls and top with crumbled bacon and green onions.
Notes
I’ve also made this with caramelized onions for a little sweeter, more buttery flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Keywords: healthy bacon pumpkin pasta, pumpkin pasta, bacon pasta
Have you tried pumpkin in savory dishes?
And btw, who wants to see more snogglishly cute pug pictures? I’m trying not to overwhelm you with cuteness all at once, but there’s definitely more where that came from. Get ready.
I think pumpkin totally works in savory dishes — in fact, your butternut squash mac n’ cheese inspired me to make a similar meal with pumpkin. Bacon makes everything better!
Isn’t that the truth?
Please post more pug pictures!!!!! She looks like she was hamming it up for the camera, too!
I’m kinda embarrassed to say that I haven’t tried pumpkin in any savory applications beyond soup. Seeing how easy your recipe is, I’m not sure why my brain hasn’t gone there! It looks beautiful studded with the bacon and scallions 🙂
Thanks! I always love how scallions look (and taste) scattered on top of food like this.
Yummy – I love the butternut squash pasta, so pumpkin also sounds pretty good to me. And with bacon? Genius.
I was surprised at how much the pumpkin “sauce” actually just tastes like the butternut squash sauce. Although I was extra generous with the bacon… so maybe I was just getting those flavors coming through a little more 🙂
It’s funny over here (Australia) butternut squash is known as butternut pumpkin. And is considered a solely savoury vegetable! 😀
Cute! Butternut Pumpkin. 🙂
I haven’t even had pumpkin this year! Horrifying! 🙂 But I’d much rather have it in savory then sweet!
Emily! I can’t believe you. Thanksgiving is coming – pumpkin then, maybe?
Oh that pug is adorable! Just look at his cute squishy face!
This pasta sounds delicious too. I really like the little green onions too to add an extra flavour, not to mention the bacon and pumpkin obviously!
I know, isn’t she the cutest thing ever? Be still my beating heart…
Oops yes, her face! For some reason, I think all pugs are boys. I have no idea why.
I have never used pumpkin in a savory dish and I have no idea why. You’re right. I’ve let pumpkin fall into the sweets only stereotype. And I totally feel ya on the jeggings. While I don’t own jeggings, I do own a pair of leggings that I want to wear exclusively because they are the most comfortable thing I’ve ever put on my legs.
I know! I feel like I should reserve them for once a week. But I wear them all weekend long! And I will definitely be wearing them this Thursday. 🙂
Yeah, I’m just not sure about the combo but you’ve never steered us wrong before so perhaps I’ll give it a shot.
This looks delicious! Love that it uses bacon and is still healthy!
Yeah… I’ve been known to be a little liberal with my use of the word “healthy”, but since it’s pretty low fat + high protein, and it’s super filling… it seems healthy enough to me, even with a lil bacon! 🙂
this is making my mouth water!
“Gahh” is right, so cute!
Pasta looks delish 🙂
Sometimes I can only express myself with weird phrases like that…
BOOK.FREAKING.MARKED.
Oh my, your pug is soooo cute 😀 I totally don’t mind pug pictures, haha. Your pasta looks awesome. I thought it was cheesy(besides the cream cheese – I mean like mac and cheese cheesy) but that must be just the pumpkin color. Awesome! Looks delicious – especially with a little bacon 😀
I know – it looks cheesy and actually tastes cheesy but there’s no shredded cheese! Magical.
What a fun weekend you had with your pug. 🙂 She is sooo cute. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving, Lindsay and Bjork!
Thanks Soo! Same to you and your fam. 🙂
This looks DE.LIC.IOUS. As in, I need it in my belly right now. (Can you tell it’s lunchtime?) Totally can’t wait to try it. 🙂 I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving!!
P.S. I am normally not a dog person, but your pug is too cute for words. Squee!
SQUEEEE!
Pumpkin and bacon! This sounds fantastic!
Aw thanks!
What an adorable pug! My Boston Terrier does the same thing, laying on the back of the loveseat like that. This pasta aint bad either ;). Looks delish!
It’s funny the places that they love to hang out, isn’t it? 🙂
All about the bacon! This looks so delicious. And btw, I don’t know when you changed your blog header, but I love it! Your blog looks great!
Thanks! It was fun to work on some new changes… 🙂
Tell me your address, i’d love to be your neighbor…. who constantly ran out of food….
lol!
C’mon – really? Can you really put “bacon” and “healthy” in the same title?? 😉 This looks awesome – and I MIGHT be able to convince my family to eat it because the bacon is like a bribe. . . . I know I would love it. Maybe I’ll tell them it’s cheese. . . because there’s no way I’m letting this one slip by. Looks totally yummy!
I know – I thought that exact thing as I was writing the title! But healthy is all relative, I guess. 😉
I was only kidding. Bacon is certainly healthy if it makes the pumpkin go down! 😉
Hey! I’m new to the site. Found this recipe on Tasty Kitchen and it looks fantastic. Question: Is the nutritional info for one serving or both?
Thanks!
I’m a dork…just saw “amount per serving” write there in black and white. Ha!
I do that kind of thing all the time. 🙂 Hope you like it!
i LOVE pumpkin pasta. so fantastic. i’ll have to try your version…and with bacon? even better! 🙂
This was my first! Apparently I need to try more??
lol.. healthy bacon? and how about another shout out to your kewl sister for the jeggings!
She is pretty kewl.
Im so excited to try this recipe. I have a husband that is a very picky eater. He doesnt do veggies too well so I sneak them in as much as possible. I think he might like this….and if not, more leftovers for me!
Exactly! This made an awesome leftover lunch the next day!
Wow, I can’t decide which I want more, the pug or the pasta. One of each? And love the jeggings comment, mine are way more comfy than they are flattering but I.can’t.stop.wearing.them.
lol- so true!