Farfalle with Bacon, Onions and Gouda

My husband has a new favorite cheese. It used to be Muenster, but after these burgers introduced him to gouda, there was no going back. We always, always have gouda on hand for his sandwiches (and, thankfully, I can always find it for pretty cheap at one of my very favorite places to shop).

Recently, when I was feeling uninspired to meal plan, I was going through a folder of saved recipes on my computer and stumbled across this gem. I knew that not only would Joe love it, but that the kids and I would love it too. And, not surprisingly, we did. The onion, gouda, and bacon all complement each other perfectly with a great balance of flavors. The onions are slightly sweet, the gouda is deliciously creamy, and the bacon is crispy, smoky and salty. I served the pasta with a side of steamed broccoli, and it was a delicious dinner that came together really fast.

As Joe said, “That’s some goud-a pasta.” He’s corny. It’s one of the reasons I love him.

Farfalle with Bacon, Onions and Gouda
adapted from Tasty Kitchen

1 pound bow tie pasta
7 slices bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded gouda cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove to a paper towel to absorb some of the drippings. Drain all but one tablespoon of bacon drippings.

3. Add butter to the remaining bacon drippings. Add onion and sauté until tender.

4. Add cream to the pan. Let simmer on low heat for a few minutes, until the cream sauce begins to reduce and thicken. Stir in the reserved bacon and the gouda. Taste for seasonings and add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Add the pasta to the skillet, and stir until all of the ingredients are incorporated and the pasta is coated with the sauce. Serve warm.