Recipe:  Fettuccine Alfredo with Bacon
Source:  Cooking Light, Jan/Feb 2010

Servings:  4
Serving Size:  1 cup

Ingredients:
1 (9 oz) package refrigerated fresh fettuccine
2 slices applewood smoked bacon, chopped
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 cup 1% low-fat milk
2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. parsley
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Preparation:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.  Drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid.
2. While pasta cooks, cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat about 4 minutes, or until bacon is crisp, stirring occasionally.  Remove bacon from pan; reserve drippings.  Add garlic to bacon drippings in pan; saute 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Sprinkle flour over garlic; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly.  Gradually add milk, stirring constantly; cook 2 minutes until bubbly and slightly thick, stirring constantly.  Reduce heat to low.  Gradually add cheese, stirring until cheese melts.  Stir in salt and reserved 1/4 cup cooking liquid.  Add hot pasta to pan; toss well to combine.  Sprinkle with bacon, parsley and pepper.

Our Thoughts:
So, I love fettuccine alfredo.  It's easily one of my favorite meals.  I eat the Lean Cuisines and Smart Ones that are alfredo and they're okay, but I've always believed it is really hard to make a good fettuccine alfredo without it being horrible for you.  I no longer believe that's true.  This stuff is pretty awesome.  My two small complaints would be 1) the serving size--I can totally eat 2 servings of this no problem, but I probably don't need to! and 2) It's not super creamy--no extra sauce to sop up with the bread I'm not eating, anyway!  Scott, well he REALLY loves this dish.  I think he likes the alfredo, but I also think it's the bacon that sealed the deal.  As soon as we finished eating it, he turned to me and said he wanted to move it into the regular rotation.  That's pretty high praise!  So overall, this dish is a big Yes! in our household!

Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars!

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories:  339
Fat:  11.7g
Protein:  17.3g
Carbohydrates:  38.4g
Fiber:  2g
Cholesterol:  22mg
Iron:  0.5mg
Sodium:  833mg
Calcium:  291mg