Cozy Fall Dinner: Easy Bacon Spaghetti Recipe

Now that school is back in full swing and our routines have been solidified, i am here to take some stress away from the dreaded question “what do i make for dinner?”

Picture this: It is a chilly fall evening, your family is safe and warm and you have the most delicious spaghetti recipe ready for dinner time.

This spaghetti recipe is one that i made up. There was one particular Friday night when i needed to go grocery shopping and all i had on hand was some spaghetti, some cooked bacon, and some whipping cream. It was a cold evening and i was in the mood for something hearty and warm.

This is one of those recipes that my husband asks for at least once a week, and my children will eat without complaining. The bonus part is that it is easy, quick, and only takes a few ingredients.

Now, i don’t typically cook with bacon, and when i do it is either turkey or beef bacon. I love this recipe with beef bacon, but pork would also work too. I haven’t tried it with turkey bacon but i should imagine it tastes just as good.

Ingredients

• 4 to 5 pieces of bacon

• One white onion

• 1 cup of whipping cream - you can add more if you like more sauce

• ½ a teaspoon of cornstarch

• 1 clove of garlic

• 1 tablespoon of onion powder

• 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning

• 1 tablespoon of garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil

• 2 cups of cooked spaghetti

The method

• Cook your spaghetti and leave it to the side

• In a large frying pan heat the olive oil

• Add in chopped garlic and chopped onion

• Add in the bacon - chopped and pre cooked. You can add uncooked bacon also and cook everything together.

• Once onion is soft and garlic is cooked you can add in the whipping cream

• Now you can add your onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and cornstarch. Mix well.

• Once it is warm and bubbling you can add the spaghetti and stir everything in with tongs to coat.

• Let cook for around 5 minutes.

Optional: For an even richer sauce you can add more whipping cream and some cheese like a good quality parmesan or Havarti.

This fall i have been going through my kitchen and swapping everything that is plastic and toxic, to low tox options. This has also included all of the things i use to cook with. All of my bowls went from plastic to glass or ceramic, and i am starting to cook with and learn how to use cast iron pans.

The trickiest thing for me has been cleaning cast iron but i am learning as i go! Below is the method that i have been following.

How to Clean & Care for Your Cast Iron Pan

• Let the pan cool slightly after cooking. Don’t plunge a hot cast iron pan into cold water, as the sudden temperature change can cause damage.

• Wipe out leftover food and grease. Use a paper towel or clean cloth to remove as much residue as possible.

• Wash with warm water. A small amount of mild dish soap is perfectly fine when needed. Contrary to the old myth, using a little soap won’t ruin a properly seasoned cast iron pan.

• For stuck-on food, use coarse salt. Sprinkle a little salt into the pan and scrub gently with a cloth or brush. You can also add a small amount of water and simmer it briefly to loosen stubborn bits.

• Avoid soaking your pan. Cast iron and prolonged exposure to water don't mix. Leaving it submerged can encourage rust.

• Dry it immediately and thoroughly. Place the pan over low heat for a minute or two to evaporate any remaining moisture.

• Apply a very thin layer of oil. While the pan is still warm, rub a small amount of cooking oil over the entire cooking surface using a paper towel or cloth. The pan should look lightly polished, not greasy.

• Store it somewhere dry. Keep your cast iron pan in a dry cupboard or on your stovetop. If stacking pans, place a paper towel between them to absorb moisture and protect the surfaces.

How to Keep Your Cast Iron Seasoned

• Cook with it regularly. One of the best ways to maintain cast iron is simply to use it. Cooking with a little oil helps maintain the seasoning.

• Avoid cooking highly acidic foods for long periods. Tomatoes, vinegar and other acidic ingredients can gradually affect seasoning, particularly in a newer or poorly seasoned pan.

• Don't worry about small imperfections. Cast iron seasoning develops over time. A few dull spots or minor areas of wear don't mean your pan is ruined.

• If rust appears, don't panic. Scrub the rust away, wash and dry the pan thoroughly, then apply a thin coat of oil and rebuild the seasoning with a few rounds of baking.

A Simple Rule to Remember

Clean it, dry it, oil it, and use it.

Cast iron doesn't need to be precious or complicated. With a little regular care, a good cast iron pan can become one of those kitchen pieces you keep for decades—and eventually pass down to someone else.

For more recipes please check out these blog posts:

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