This luscious linguine dish is extra comforting and cozy! Everyone loves alfredo, and this one gets a seasonal spin with smoky bacon, sweet squash and savoury sage. You'll be licking the plate clean!
The quantities provided above are averages only.
Produced in a facility that processes milk, sesame, eggs, fish, shellfish, crustaceans, mustard, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybean and sulphites.
100 g
Bacon Strips
170 g
Linguine
(Contains Wheat)
170 g
Butternut Squash, cubes
113 mL
Cream
(Contains Milk)
2 unit
Garlic, cloves
56 g
Baby Spinach
¼ cup
Parmesan Cheese, shredded
(Contains Milk)
1 tbsp
Cream Sauce Spice Blend
(Contains Wheat)
7 g
Sage
56 g
Onion, chopped
1 tsp
Garlic Salt
2 unit
Chicken Breasts
1 tbsp
Unsalted Butter*
(Contains Milk)
0.06 tsp
Salt*
0.13 tsp
Pepper*
Before starting, add 10 cups water and 2 tsp salt to a large pot (use same for 4 ppl). Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Wash and dry all produce. Heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. While the pan heats, line a plate with paper towels. Cut bacon crosswise into 1/2-inch strips. (TIP: Use kitchen shears to cut bacon with ease!) When the pan is hot, add bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, 5-7 min.** (TIP: Reduce heat to medium if bacon is browning too quickly!)Remove from heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to the paper towel-lined plate. Set aside. Reserve bacon fat in the pan. (NOTE: You will use the pan with bacon fat in step 5.)
Meanwhile, peel, then mince or grate garlic. Strip sage leaves from stems. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper. Reheat the pan (from step 1) with reserved bacon fat over medium. When hot, add chicken. Cook on one side, until golden, 6-7 min. Flip, then cover and continue cooking, until cooked through, 6-7 min.** Meanwhile, cook veggies. Reserve fat in pan for frying sage in step 5.
Heat a medium pot over medium heat. When hot, add 1 tbsp butter (dbl for 4 ppl), then onions, garlic, Cream Sauce Spice Blend and sage stems. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant, 1-2 min. Add squash, cream, garlic salt and 1/4 cup water (dbl for 4 ppl). Season with pepper. Bring to a boil over high. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium, then cook until squash is tender, 10-12 min. Remove from heat, then discard sage stems. Using a potato masher, carefully mash sauce until it reaches desired creaminess.
Meanwhile, add linguine to the boiling water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 10-12 min. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water (dbl for 4 ppl), then drain linguine and return to the same pot, off heat.
Meanwhile, reheat the pan with reserved bacon fat over medium-high. When hot, add sage leaves. Fry until crisp, 1 min. Using a slotted spoon, transfer fried sage leaves to the paper-towel lined plate with bacon. Set aside.
Add spinach, sauce, half the bacon and half the Parmesan to the pot with linguine. Season with pepper, then stir until spinach wilts, 1 min. (TIP: For a lighter sauce consistency, add reserved pasta water, 1-2 tbsp at a time, if desired.) Divide linguine between bowls. Sprinkle fried sage leaves, remaining bacon and remaining Parmesan over top.