1 cup milk (any fat content, I used 2% fat content)
1 tsp basil powder
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp rosemary
½ tsp garlic powder
3 tbsp cream cheese (I had it out of the wrapper so I scooped it out using a tbsp)
Salt to taste
¼ cup hot water or pasta water
2 handfuls spinach leaves, chopped
2-3 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled (I used turkey bacon but you can use either)
Instructions
Cook pasta as per package directions. Drain and reserve ½ cup pasta water. Add 1 tsp oil to the drained pasta so it doesn't stick. Keep aside.
In a skillet, add 1 tbsp oil and heat it. To it add garlic and red chili peppers and cook for a minute or two until fragrant. Add flour and stir it around until it starts to turn golden. Add milk and keep stirring it using a stirrer. Add all the seasonings and kep stirring it. Once it starts to thicken, add cream cheese and hot water and stir until it's all smooth and you have a nice thick cream sauce. Taste the seasonings. Add chopped spinach and pasta and toss it around so that sauce coats the pasta evenly and spinach wilts a bit.
Meanwhile cook turkey bacon by placing it on a hot skillet and flipping it every few minutes until it's nicely cooked and crispy. Let it cool on a paper towel and crumble.
Taste the pasta and adjust seasonings if needed. Add the crumbled bacon and serve.
Recipe by Naive Cook Cooks at https://www.naivecookcooks.com/30-mins-cheesy-bacon-and-spinach-pasta/