Cream Cheese Pasta

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb Spaghetti pasta

• 1 package bacon, chopped (optional)

• 3/4 cup cream cheese

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 8 cloves or garlic, minced

• 1 cup pasta water

• salt and pepper to taste

• 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (option)

In a large pot boil you pasta, al dente, according to the package instruction. Right before you drain the pasta, save 1 or two cups pasta water. Just dip that large glass measuring cup right in there.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet cook bacon over heat. When bacon is cooked, set aside in a bowl. You can leave some bacon grease in the pan, or clean it up.

Reduce the heat of your pan to lo, add a little olive oil in with the bacon grease if needed (if not using the bacon, add olive oil to pan) and gently fry the garlic. Add in the red chili flakes and gently fry together for about 2 minutes.

Stir in the cream cheese and starting with half a cup of pasta water. Stir to combine all ingredients. If too thick add more pasta water. Add in the Parmesan cheese, stir ingredients till its a nice creamy consistency. Add more pasta water if needed. Add in MOST of the bacon, minus a few tablespoons for topping. (If using bacon.)

Drain and add your pasta to the skillet. Evenly coat the pasta. Add more pasta water as needed till the pasta is nicely coated. (No photos of adding the pasta. I lost power and had no light.)

Serve immediate, top with bacon crumbles (if using) and Parmesan cheese.