Easy Oozy Bacon & Herb Penne
with Spooky Cherry Tomato Salad & Parmesan
- Gluten
- Wheat
- Milk
- Eggs
- Soy
- Milk
- May contain traces of allergens
The best part about tonight's pasta dish, apart from the oozy bacon sauce? You'll throw it together in four simple steps that will see dinner on the table before you know it, so you can get out to trick-or-treating in a flash.
Ingredients
1 packet
penne
(Contains: Gluten, Wheat May be present: Eggs, Soy, Milk)
1 packet
diced bacon
(May be present: Soy, Milk)
1 packet
sliced mushrooms
1 packet
garlic paste
1 packet
thickened cream
(Contains: Milk)
1 sachet
vegetable stock powder
1 bag
baby spinach leaves
1 punnet
snacking tomatoes
1
carrot
1 bag
mixed salad leaves
1 sachet
Italian herbs
1 packet
Parmesan cheese
(Contains: Milk)
Not included in your delivery
olive oil
drizzle
balsamic vinegar
Utensils
Cooking Steps
• Boil the kettle. Half-fill a medium saucepan with the boiled water and heat over high heat. Add a pinch of salt, then bring to the boil. • Cook penne in the boiling water until 'al dente', 12 minutes. • Reserve some pasta water (1/3 cup for 2 people / 2/3 cup for 4 people), then drain pasta and return to saucepan.
TIP: 'Al dente' pasta is cooked through but still slightly firm in the centre. Little cooks: Older kids, help add the pasta to the saucepan under adult supervision. Be careful, the water is boiling!
• In a large frying pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. • Cook diced bacon and sliced mushrooms, breaking bacon up with a spoon, until browned, 3-4 minutes. • Add garlic paste and Italian herbs and cook until fragrant, 1 minute.
• Add thickened cream, reserved pasta water and vegetable stock powder to the pan and cook, stirring, until heated through, 30 seconds. • Add cooked penne, Parmesan cheese and baby spinach leaves. Cook, tossing, until spinach is just wilted, 1-2 minutes. • Remove from heat. Season with pepper.
TIP: Add a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce, if needed!
• Halve snacking tomatoes. Grate carrot. In a large bowl, combine a drizzle of the balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Season, then add mixed salad leaves, carrot and snacking tomatoes. Toss to combine. • Divide oozy bacon and herb penne between bowls. • Serve with spooky tomato salad. Enjoy!
Little cooks: Lend a hand by combining the ingredients for the dressing, and tossing the salad!
Customer reviews
Review summary
Updated on Feb 2026- Flavour: Many found this pasta dish delicious, with some calling it a family favourite. A few noted it could be more flavourful.
- Ease of prep: Customers praised the quick and easy preparation, with some mentioning it's simple enough for less experienced cooks.
- Suggestions: Several suggested adding extra vegetables to the pasta. Some recommended serving with garlic bread for a heartier meal.
- Leftovers: Leftovers reheated well in a pan with a splash of water or stock, maintaining the dish's flavour and texture.
- Portions: A few mentioned there was too much pasta; consider reducing the amount or bulking up with more vegetables.
