Recipe: Spaghetti Pasta with Zucchini, Crispy Bacon &amp; Parmesan

My kids love pasta, so much so that it has become a weekend staple in our home. Their favorite pasta is spaghetti and I am often surprised at how much they can eat.

Scenario #1
Mummy: "Kids, do you want to go out to the mall and eat some nice food?"
Kids: Mummy can we stay home, and can you make us pasta for lunch?

Scenario #2
Mummy: Do you want to go for dim sum today? (Note: They love siew mai)
Kids: Don't want siew mai.... can we have pasta instead.... the one with the bacon, pleaseeeeee?

Scenario #3
Mummy: Do you want mummy to cook something else for a change?
Kids: Nooooooo, we want pasta. Mummy's pasta is the best.

That's basically how it goes every weekend. My kids will request for pasta every weekend. As a mummy, I'm only glad to see them eating well and enjoying their food. :)

Here's the recipe for their (current) favorite pasta, spaghetti with zucchini and bacon. It's one of those pasta dishes that everyone loves. Simple and quick to make too.

Spaghetti pasta with zucchini and bacon
Recipe by Baby Sumo
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10-12 minutes
Serves 4

350g spaghetti pasta
5 streaky bacon (about 125g), sliced thinly
1 zucchini (about 300g), sliced thinly
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan, to garnish
Fresh parsley or basil (optional)

1. In a pot of salted water, cook the spaghetti pasta according to pack instructions, about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Remove from heat and drain, run under cold water to stop from cooking further.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan or wok on medium high heat. Add bacon and cook for 3-4 minutes, until crispy and golden brown. Remove and set aside.

3. Using the same pan, add the garlic and cook for a minute until golden brown. Then, add the zucchini, and cook for 3-4 minutes until it turns translucent. Add the drained pasta, season with salt and pepper as necessary and give it a quick stir.

4. Using a two-pronged carving fork, swirl some of the pasta around the fork. Slide the pasta off the fork and mound it in the center of a plate. Repeat for each serving. Top with crispy bacon, as well as parsley and basil (if using). Grate Parmesan cheese all over.