Naked Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 (12 ounce) package dry fettuccine pasta
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 tablespoon bacon drippings
• olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 small onion, chopped
• 14 ounces frozen shelled and deveined medium shrimp - thawed and patted dry
• 2 teaspoons italian seasoning
• ground black pepper to taste
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
• 4 cups baby spinach leaves
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional)

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 35 mins Ready Time: 50 mins


• fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. once the water is boiling, stir in the fettuccine, and return to a boil. cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. drain well in a colander set in the sink.
• brown the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes; stir occasionally. drain all but 1 tablespoon of the drippings; pour the olive oil into the skillet. stir in garlic and onion, and cook until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. stir in the shrimp, and cook just until pink and opaque, 2 to 3 more minutes. mix in italian seasoning, black pepper, and diced tomatoes, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
• with a spoon, move the shrimp to the outside of the skillet. place the spinach in the center of the skillet, cover, and cook until just wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. stir the spinach into the shrimp. mix in the tomato paste if you prefer a thicker sauce. serve over cooked fettuccine.