Gemelli with Swiss Chard and Bacon

Ingredients and Weight:

• Swiss chard, 2 bunches (1 pound)
• Bacon, thick-cut, 8 slices (1/2 pound)
• Onion, 1 medium (1/2 pound)
• Garlic, 3 cloves (1 tablespoon)
• Gemelli pasta, 1 pound
• Olive oil, 1/4 cup
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)

Preparation Time:

20 minutes

Cooking Time:

25 minutes

Difficulty Level:

3 (Moderate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Wash and trim the Swiss chard, removing the stems. Chop the leaves into 1-inch pieces.
2. Cut the bacon into 1-inch pieces.
3. Dice the onion and mince the garlic.
4. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside.
5. In the same skillet, add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the Swiss chard and cook until wilted, about 10 minutes.
7. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gemelli pasta according to package directions.
8. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the Swiss chard mixture.
9. Stir in the bacon and cook for 2 minutes more.
10. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Nutritional Information:

Per serving (1 cup):

• Calories: 350
• Fat: 15 grams
• Protein: 15 grams
• Carbohydrates: 40 grams
• Fiber: 5 grams

Dish Characteristics:

• Savory and hearty
• Vibrant green color
• Rich bacon flavor
• Chewy gemelli pasta
• Perfect for a main course or side dish

User Comments:

• "This pasta is absolutely delicious! The Swiss chard adds a nice freshness and the bacon makes it so flavorful."
• "I love that the gemelli pasta catches all the sauce."
• "This dish is very easy to make and can be dressed up or down with different toppings, such as Parmesan cheese or grilled chicken."
• "I made this for dinner last night and my whole family loved it!"
• "This is a great recipe to use up leftover Swiss chard and bacon."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you don't have thick-cut bacon, you can use regular bacon and cut it into larger pieces.
• You can substitute any type of short pasta for the gemelli, such as penne or rigatoni.
• Add some chopped sun-dried tomatoes for an extra burst of flavor.
• Serve with a side of crusty bread to soak up the sauce.