Linguine with Squash Bacon and Goat Cheese

Elevate your pasta night with this irresistible Linguine with Squash, Bacon, and Goat Cheese, a perfect marriage of creamy, savory, and zesty flavors. Tender roasted butternut squash adds a naturally sweet and caramelized touch, while crispy bacon brings smoky, salty richness. Crumbled goat cheese melts into the warm linguine, creating a luscious, tangy sauce that’s brightened by fragrant lemon zest and fresh parsley. This recipe is a comforting yet elegant weeknight dinner, ready in just 45 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings or casual entertaining. Serve this dish hot for a restaurant-quality meal the whole family will love.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz linguine
• 3 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
• 0.5 cup reserved pasta water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

Toss the butternut squash cubes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 3

Roast the squash in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until tender and lightly caramelized. Stir halfway through cooking for even roasting.

Step 4

While the squash is roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining, then set the linguine aside.

Step 5

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet using a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.

Step 6

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet if needed, then sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant.

Step 7

Lower the heat to medium-low and add the roasted squash, crispy bacon, cooked linguine, and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss to combine all ingredients.

Step 8

Crumble the goat cheese over the pasta and gently toss until the cheese begins to melt and coat the linguine.

Step 9

Stir in the lemon zest and chopped parsley, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Step 10

Serve the linguine hot, garnished with extra parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1127.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1773.9

Total Fat 93.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 33.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 159.7mg	0%
Sodium 4460.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 156.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.4g	0%
Total Sugars 10.2g
Protein 78.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 408.5mg	0%
Iron 8.7mg	0%
Potassium 2035.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.4%

Protein: 17.5%

Carbs: 35.1%