Description
A rich and creamy Tuscan-style spaghetti dish topped with crispy bacon and perfectly seared jumbo scallops, finished with fresh cilantro for a fresh touch.
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb jumbo scallops, rinsed and patted dry
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the scallops and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove scallops and set aside.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Gradually add the Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet, tossing gently to coat with the sauce.
- Divide the pasta among serving plates and top with seared scallops and crispy bacon.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve immediately.
Notes
- For best results, ensure scallops are patted dry before searing to get a good crust.
- You can substitute parsley for cilantro if preferred.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce.
- Don’t overcrowd the scallops in the pan to ensure even searing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
