Pasta Cabonara

I love pasta!!!! It is my weakness!! I really love it when not only I can make a pasta dish but make it inexpensive and easy! I have explored making pasta cabonara a number of times but I finally came up with a recipe that was so yummy and quick! There are ways of making it more healthy like for instance using fat free half and half, using whole wheat pasta using turkey bacon (I wouldn't advise it for this recipe) and adding more veggies if you are looking for a healthy alternative. Also you could add more meats. I usually add grilled chicken breast but you could add some leftover cubed ham, some shrimp, Italian sausage...the possibilities are endless with this recipe!

Easy Pasta Cabonara

5 cups uncooked mostaccioli or penne (2 lb box)
1 lb. thick sliced bacon diced
8 oz fresh mushrooms sliced
1 1/2 cups half and half
2/3 cups butter
5 cloves of garlic smashed and minced
14-16 drops of hot sauce
1 1/2 cups grated parmesan
1/2 cup sliced green onion
sea salt as desired

Cook pasta as directed on package
In a large skillet on medium heat cook bacon until crisp. Remove to paper towel to drain. Keeping the bacon drippings in the pan, brown the mushrooms and garlic for about a minute until the garlic is aromatic. Place mushrooms and garlic on the paper towel with the bacon and drain the bacon grease.
Add the half and half and butter to the pan until butter is melted. Once melted add the bacon, mushrooms, garlic, hot sauce pasta and cheese until heated through stirring frequently until sauce is thickened. Turn off heat and add onions.

Enjoy!!!!
XOXO!!