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Spicy Bacon Broccoli Orecchiette is a quick and easy pasta dish, perfect for busy evenings. With crispy bacon, tender broccoli, and a creamy sauce that gets a bold twist from gochujang, this dish is rich in flavor but not overwhelming in spice. It’s ready in just 20 minutes, making it an excellent option when you want something hearty and satisfying without a lot of effort.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

8 ½ ounces orecchiette pasta
Salt, to taste
1 small broccoli head, chopped into bite-sized pieces
7 ounces bacon bits
1 brown onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp gochujang paste (adjust to taste)
1 ½ cups heavy cream
Freshly ground black pepper, for serving

Directions

Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette and cook for 3 minutes less than the package instructions. Add the broccoli florets to the pot and continue cooking for 3 minutes. Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving ½ cup of the cooking water.
Cook the Bacon and Make the Sauce
While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over high heat and cook the bacon until crispy. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in thyme, tomato paste, and gochujang paste. Pour in the cream and bring it to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low.
Combine and Serve
Add the drained orecchiette and broccoli to the skillet, along with a splash of the reserved cooking water. Toss everything to coat evenly in the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrients

Per serving (approximately one portion):

Calories: 780 kcal
Carbohydrates: 66 g
Protein: 27 g
Fat: 46 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 11 g
Cholesterol: 101 mg
Sodium: 939 mg
Potassium: 380 mg
Fiber: 8 g
Sugar: 6 g
Vitamin A: 1383 IU
Vitamin C: 5 mg
Calcium: 137 mg
Iron: 2 mg

This dish combines rich creamy textures with a touch of spice, and you can adjust the heat to your liking.

The Charm of Orecchiette Pasta

Orecchiette, an Italian pasta shape resembling small ears, is the perfect pasta for holding onto sauce. Its slightly concave shape makes it ideal for catching the creamy sauce and bits of bacon and broccoli, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavor. Orecchiette has a chewy texture that pairs well with a variety of ingredients, making it an excellent choice for a dish like this, where the sauce needs something substantial to cling to.

The pasta’s texture also helps balance out the richness of the creamy sauce, providing a hearty, satisfying base that complements the crispy bacon and tender broccoli. This combination of textures ensures that the dish is not only flavorful but also interesting to eat.

The Flavor Base: Bacon, Broccoli, and Gochujang

What sets Spicy Bacon Broccoli Orecchiette apart is its bold flavor combination. The crispy bacon bits provide an irresistible savory element, with a hint of smokiness that brings depth to the dish. As the bacon crisps up, it releases fat that is then used to flavor the base of the sauce, making it rich and decadent.

The broccoli offers a fresh, slightly bitter contrast to the rich bacon and creamy sauce, adding a lightness that keeps the dish from feeling too heavy. The broccoli florets are tender but still retain a bit of bite, ensuring that they hold up well in the dish and add a satisfying texture.

The real star of this dish is the gochujang paste, a fermented Korean chili paste that adds a delightful spice and depth of flavor. Gochujang is a perfect match for this recipe, providing just the right amount of heat and umami without overpowering the other flavors. Its fermented qualities lend a slight sweetness that balances the richness of the bacon and the creaminess of the sauce.

The Creamy Sauce with a Kick

The creamy sauce is a key element of Spicy Bacon Broccoli Orecchiette. Made with heavy cream, it creates a rich, velvety texture that perfectly coats the pasta and vegetables. The addition of tomato paste enhances the sauce’s depth, bringing a subtle acidity that balances out the richness of the cream.

What really makes the sauce special is the gochujang paste, which imparts a unique spiciness and complexity. You can adjust the amount of gochujang to suit your heat preference, allowing you to control how spicy the dish gets. Whether you like a gentle warmth or a bold, fiery kick, the sauce can be customized to your liking.

As the pasta and broccoli are tossed in the sauce, they absorb the creamy, spicy coating, creating a comforting, flavorful dish that’s both satisfying and easy to make.

Quick and Easy: Perfect for Busy Nights

One of the best things about Spicy Bacon Broccoli Orecchiette is how quickly it comes together. With a total cooking time of just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for when you want a hearty and flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen. The pasta and broccoli cook together, saving you time and making cleanup easier. While the pasta cooks, you can prepare the bacon and sauce, so everything comes together seamlessly.

The dish is easy to adjust based on your preferences, too. If you’re in the mood for a milder dish, simply use less gochujang or omit it altogether. You can also swap out the bacon for another protein, like sausage or grilled chicken, or add more vegetables like spinach or bell peppers to make it your own.

A Well-Balanced Meal

Spicy Bacon Broccoli Orecchiette is a well-rounded dish that combines carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables, making it a satisfying meal on its own. The pasta provides the necessary carbs for energy, while the bacon adds protein and fat, creating a rich, savory flavor. The broccoli contributes fiber, vitamins, and minerals, adding a fresh, healthful element to the dish.

While the dish is indulgent with its creamy sauce and crispy bacon, the addition of broccoli helps balance out the richness, ensuring that it’s not too heavy. It’s a great choice for a comforting meal that still provides some nutritional value. The gochujang adds a layer of spice and umami that gives the dish an exciting flavor profile, making it both hearty and vibrant.

Serving Suggestions

Spicy Bacon Broccoli Orecchiette can be served on its own or paired with a light side dish to round out the meal. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pasta. If you want to add more vegetables, consider serving the dish with a side of roasted or steamed vegetables, like asparagus, green beans, or carrots.

For a more indulgent experience, serve the pasta with some freshly baked bread to help soak up the creamy sauce. A glass of crisp white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, would complement the spiciness of the gochujang while cutting through the richness of the cream and bacon.

Nutritional Considerations

This dish is rich in flavor and calories, with approximately 780 kcal per serving. The pasta and heavy cream contribute to the dish’s high fat content, particularly saturated fat, so it’s best enjoyed in moderation. However, the bacon provides protein, and the broccoli adds fiber and nutrients like vitamin C and potassium, which help balance out the richness of the dish.

For those looking to reduce the calorie count or fat content, consider using a lighter cream, such as half-and-half or a plant-based alternative, and reduce the amount of bacon or replace it with a leaner protein like chicken. You can also adjust the amount of gochujang to suit your heat preference, which can help control the intensity of the flavor without adding unnecessary calories.

Conclusion

Spicy Bacon Broccoli Orecchiette is the ultimate quick and easy pasta dish for busy evenings. With its combination of crispy bacon, tender broccoli, and a creamy, spicy sauce, it’s a flavorful and satisfying meal that comes together in just 20 minutes. The balance of savory, creamy, and spicy flavors makes it a comfort food favorite, while the fresh broccoli adds a healthy touch. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a casual get-together, this dish is sure to please with its rich flavors and hearty textures.