Zucchini Noodles with Basil Pesto and Bacon

There's no pasta in this dish, just fresh zucchini noodles tossed in a delicious bacon and pesto sauce.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Calories: 568 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 slices turkey bacon
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup fresh arugula
• 1 pinch sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• ½ cup basil pesto (such as Classico® Traditional)
• 3 large zucchini, ends trimmed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Lay bacon slices on a large baking tray.

Step 2

Broil in the preheated oven until crispy, 9 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a large plate lined with absorbent kitchen paper and allow to cool and harden.

Step 3

Crumble the cooled bacon into smaller pieces and combine with pesto sauce.

Step 4

Use a spiralizer or julienne peeler to cut zucchini into noodles, snipping midway to prevent them from getting too long.

Step 5

Heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add zucchini and garlic and cook until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add pesto-bacon mixture and heat for 2 minutes longer. Toss well so the noodles are evenly coated. Taste and season with salt if needed.

Step 6

Top with freshly grated Parmiggiano-Reggiano cheese so it can melt while the dish is still warm. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Top with arugula, but do not mix it in. Serve immediately.