Spinach and Bacon Penne Pasta
Spinach and Bacon Penne Pasta brings together tender pasta, garlicky tomatoes, and smoky, crisp bacon for a balanced bite that’s both comforting and bright. The wilted greens add freshness while the rendered bacon and olive oil create a rich, silky coating. Serve this for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual weekend meal when you want big flavor with minimal fuss.
- Prep10 mins
- Cook15 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Spinach and Bacon Penne Pasta, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 51 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 18 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 92 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 57
- Heart Health
- 71
- Metabolic
- 37
- Digestive
- 39
- Inflammatory
- 39
- Performance
- 50
- General Wellness
- 1
Place the spinach in a colander in the sink; set it aside.
- 2
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly firm, about 11 minutes.
- 3
While the penne cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the bacon in the hot oil until browned and crisp. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute. Stir in the tomatoes and cook until heated through.
- 4
Drain the hot pasta over the spinach in the colander so it wilts. Transfer the spinach and pasta to a large serving bowl. Top with the bacon-tomato mixture and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil; toss until evenly combined.
- Calories 270.9 kcal Moderate 14%
- Protein 9.33 g Moderate 19%
- Carbohydrate 42.68 g 16%
- Total Fat 7.31 g Moderate 9%
- Saturated Fat 0.97 g Low Source 5%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 0.0 mg Low Source 0%
- Sodium 339.64 mg Moderate 15%
- Dietary Fiber 4.64 g Moderate 17%
- Total Sugars 7.74 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 100.12 mg Low Source 8%
- Iron 2.65 mg Moderate 15%
- Potassium 518.5 mg Moderate 11%
- Vitamin A 514.63 mcg Good Source 57%
- Vitamin C 18.83 mg Good Source 21%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Garlic 🧄
About This Recipe
Spinach and Bacon Penne Pasta is made with 6 ingredients and serves 4. It takes about 25 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Bacon Bits, Diced Tomatoes, Minced Garlic, and Olive Oil. Each serving provides about 270.9 kcal.
Recipe Questions
- What is Spinach and Bacon Penne Pasta made of?
- The main ingredients are Bacon Bits, Diced Tomatoes, Minced Garlic, Olive Oil, Penne Pasta. The full list of 6 is above.
- How long does it take to make Spinach and Bacon Penne Pasta?
- About 25 mins in total: 10 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 270.9 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Spinach and Bacon Penne Pasta easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 6 ingredients and 4 steps.
- Is Spinach and Bacon Penne Pasta healthy?
- Spinach and Bacon Penne Pasta has an easyChef Pro health score of 50/100. Per serving, it provides 270.9 calories and 9.33 g of protein, or 19% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 339.64 mg (15% of the Daily Value). It contains Wheat, Gluten, Tomatoes and Garlic, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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