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    Home > Recipes > Pasta and Noodles

    Orecchiette with Bacon and Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

    Published: Dec 3, 2015 · Modified: Apr 19, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 6 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Orecchiette with Bacon and Caramelized Brussels Sprouts on a white plate
    Orecchiette with Bacon and Caramelized Brussels Sprouts on a white plate
    Orecchiette with Bacon and Caramelized Brussels Sprouts on a white plate
    Orecchiette with Bacon and Caramelized Brussels Sprouts in a cast iron skillet
    Orecchiette with Bacon and Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

    Orecchiette on a white plate

    Dishes like Orecchiette with Bacon and Caramelized Brussels Sprouts are made for busy weeknights.  Get some pasta boiling, crisp up bacon, caramelize brussels sprouts and toss it all in tangy cheese.  It comes together in 35 minutes flat and tastes like the comfort food answer to a chilly winter night.

    Orecchiette on a white plate

    Did you finish off all the turkey?  I had a final bowl of turkey soup two nights ago and with that last spoonful I felt like I had savored the holiday to the absolute fullest.

    We spent Thanksgiving with Frank's family in Norfolk, Virginia where we ate all the delicious food, Frank carved the turkey, and Molly and Clara had their first taste of povitica (love at first bite).  We had loads of holiday fun and visited some of our Norfolk favorites including Toast which was as dreamy as ever and Cafe Stella which was equally delicious (and the coffee extra strong).

    We even hit a few new spots but learned the hard way that it pays to call ahead to request not one, but two high chairs (#twinparentproblems).  It's shocking how many restaurants only have one.

    Smith Family Thanksgiving 2015

    With one festive holiday behind us and the next just around the corner, it's nice to be back in the kitchen, cooking our usual fast dinners.

    And since this is my latest favorite, I'm just going to go ahead and get all up close and personal with it.  I don't want you to miss all that fresh, pan-seared brussels sprouts goodness.

    Orecchiette with Bacon and Caramelized Brussels Sprouts in a cast iron skillet

    It's too bad that brussels sprouts got such a bad rap for so many years.  They really are delicious and so versatile.  We have been doing quite a few fresh shredded brussels sprouts salads this fall, but pan searing them is my new favorite.

    (Trader Joe's even sells pre-shredded brussels sprouts which have gone into the regular rotation here.)

    The magic of this really simple dish comes from caramelizing those shredded brussels sprouts in a bit of bacon grease.  To do it, you need the pan to be super hot.  Searing brussels sprouts in a super hot pan cooks them fast but also cooks out any bitterness.

    They turn all sweet and almost creamy.

    Orecchiette with Bacon and Caramelized Brussels Sprouts on a white plate

    Tossed with fresh grated parmesan cheese, this is one of those dishes you're happy to find leftovers of the next day.

    More Quick and Easy Weeknight Meals

    • Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
    • Sheet Pan Tacos
    • One-Pan Italian Turkey Meatballs with Marinara
    • Slow Cooker Green Salsa Chicken
    • Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers
    • Taco Soup with Ground Beef
    • Simple Chicken Noodle Soup with Miso

    Favorite Tools

    • Cuisinart Stockpot with Strainer 
    • Lodge Cast Iron Skillet 
    Print Recipe
    4.67 from 3 votes

    Orecchiette with Bacon and Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

    A weeknight-friendly dinner with caramelized shredded brussels sprouts, crisp bacon and cheese in a light creamy sauce.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time35 mins
    Course: Main Dish
    Keyword: bacon, easy dinner, easy pasta dinner, easy, weeknight-friendly
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 478kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $6.00

    Equipment

    • Stockpot
    • Large Skillet

    Ingredients

    • 4 slices Bacon, preferably thick-cut
    • 8 oz Orecchiette Pasta
    • 3 cups shredded Brussels Sprouts (about 12 oz)
    • 1 tablespoon Butter
    • 4 oz fresh grated Parmesan Cheese, divided
    • Zest from ½ Lemon

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add pasta. (IMPORTANT: Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water. Do this while the pasta is still boiling, or you'll forget. I always forget.)
    • In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp on both sides. Set it on paper towels to cool and drain all but about 1 Tablespoon of bacon grease out of the pan.
    • Return the skillet to the burner and put it over medium-high heat. When the pan is quite hot, add the shredded brussels sprouts and saute until they are turning golden brown in spots and tender, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the pan. When it melts add the pasta, reserved pasta water and half the parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and cook just until a light sauce forms and coats the pasta. Season with salt and pepper.
    • Remove the pasta from the heat and top with the lemon zest, reserved half of parmesan cheese. Crumble the bacon over the top to finish.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 478kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 624mg | Potassium: 463mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 838IU | Vitamin C: 56mg | Calcium: 356mg | Iron: 2mg

    We celebrated an early Christmas in Virginia this week and Molly and Clara loved the heck out of it. Particularly when a talking, moving Elmo emerged from one of the gift bags - a mega hit of a gift from their Aunt Ellen!Molly and Clara_Early Xmas 2015

    *This post contains affiliate links*

    Orecchiette with Caramelized Brussels Sprouts and Bacon- Get some pasta boiling, crisp up bacon, caramelize brussels sprouts and toss it all in tangy cheese. It comes together in 35 minutes flat and tastes like the comfort food answer to a chilly winter night.

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    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karista

      December 03, 2015 at 3:04 pm

      Such a perfect seasonal dish Jess! We too can't get enough Brussels Sprouts. Love, love seeing Molly and Clara in holiday action. Such gorgeous little gals!

      Reply
    2. Judy

      July 01, 2016 at 2:40 pm

      Made this on Monday and it was delicious!

      Reply
      • Jess

        July 15, 2016 at 8:06 pm

        So glad you liked it Judy - Bacon and Brussels Sprouts are two of my favorites!

        Reply

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