Recipe from 150 Fast & Simple Recipes by Parragon Books.
There are times when carbohydrates are required.
How about carbohydrates… with bacon… tossed in more crispy carbohydrates! Eee!
This spaghetti with bacon and crispy breadcrumbs, ready in less than half an hour, was one of the many recipes which caught my eye from Parragon’s new, affordable, 150 Fast & Simple recipes book, published in February 2015, and part of Parragon’s brand new range ’150 Recipes’.
The 150 Recipes series is a gorgeous new range of everyday cookbooks, featuring a wide variety of simple recipes for easy cooking.
Developed for those busy families who don’t have a lot of time to spend preparing meals, Fast & Simple is packed with 150 time-saving dishes, from light bites like Chicken and Herb Fritters and Chipotle Pork Fajitas, to more adventurous dishes, such as Steak with Chimichurri or Moroccan Meatballs with Mint Yogurt.
This beautiful little book offers 150 easy-to-follow recipes, along with mouth-watering photography to entice you to experiment in the kitchen and is a concise introduction to the world of fast and simple cooking – there’s no fancy ingredients or complicated techniques, just simple home cooking ready in less than 45 minutes.
The book is a small 256 page hardback measuring only 12 x 2.4 x 15 cm, and it is divided into seven sections:
- Introduction – featuring time saving tips
- Light Bites – soups, salads and starters
- Meat & Poultry
- Fish & Seafood
- Vegetarian
- Baking & Desserts
- Index – a comprehensive index divided into recipe ingredients
For a small book it certainly is packed with inspiration, and retailing at only £5.99 it would make a great addition to any kitchen. I will certainly be referring to it often!

Spaghetti with Bacon & Crispy Breadcrumbs
Ingredients
- 55 grams day old ciabatta bread (approximately one roll)
- 175 grams dried spaghetti
- 2 tsp olive oil (I use Pomora - see link in side bar)
- 140 grams smoked streaky bacon chopped
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary crushed
- 15 grams butter
- 40 grams pine nuts (I used chopped cashews)
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 2-3 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley chopped
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Put the bread, including any crusts, in a food processor or blender and process until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Bring a large saucepan of lightly salted water to the boil. Add the pasta, bring back to the boil and cook for 8-10 minutes, until tender but firm to the bite. Drain.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the bacon and rosemary and fry for 2-3 minutes, until the bacon is golden brown. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add the butter to the remaining bacon fat in the pan. When melted, add the breadcrumbs, pine nuts and garlic. Fry for 2-3 minutes, stirring until golden brown. Combine the breadcrumb mixture with the pasta, bacon and rosemary. Add the parsley and season to taste with pepper.
- Transfer to warmed serving bowls and serve immediately.
Notes
GIVEAWAY
Parragon Books have very kindly offered one of my readers the chance to win a copy of this book. RRP £5.99
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OTHER QUICK PASTA DISHES YOU MIGHT LIKE
Spaghetti Carbonara Fritatta by FoodieQuine
Quick & Creamy Pasta with Ham & Tenderstem Broccoli by Anne’s Kitchen
Light Italian Spaghetti with Meatballs by The Petite Cook
Bacon, Leek & Pine Nut Pasta by Fab Food 4 All
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Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary was sent a copy of 150 Fast & Simple Recipes for review. All opinions expressed are our own and this is not a paid post. However, the recipe does include a reference to the Pomora olive oil banner in my side bar. I will get a small commission on any purchases made through that sidebar link, and you will be helping to support my family.
Katrina Adams says
This looks amazing. I will certainly be adding it to our weekly menu.
bristol plasterers says
Yum this sounds really delicious. I love trying new recipes from blogs. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Simon
Natally says
My kids love this recipe, becoming a family favourite
Laura Vitty says
Sausages and mash
Chantelle Kemp says
Spaghetti Bolognese 🙂
Natalie Crossan says
cheese on toast or cheese and beans on toast
Isabelle Smith says
cheese on toast
Karen Usher says
Vegetable stir fry! Uses up all the veggies that are getting old as well!
Emma says
Scrambled eggs on toast or baked beans on toast
Joanna Sawka says
chicken wraps
Susan Jackson says
Spanish Omelette
Clare Hubbard says
Tuna and pasta bake
EMMA WALTERS says
pasta bake 🙂
Claire Ward says
Shepard pie
Lisa Everaert says
Melted cheese and beans on toast x
Deborah Bird says
Spaghetti Bolognese!
sarah says
Fried egg sarnires
gemma nisbet says
Creme Fraiche pasta with garlic and larodns!
Kerry Lethbridge says
Carbonarra
James Donovan says
Spaghetti Carbonara
Christopher Nicholl says
grilled fish, quick easy, variable and good for you.
Jade says
Omelette and chips
Alison says
Spaghetti bolognese, so quick and simple
donna l jones says
fajitas
Sarahp says
Pasta with Roasted Vegtables and Pesto
jo liddement says
Quinoa and steamed vegetables
Julie Camm says
prawn and chorizo risotto…
Francesca Tuck says
Szechuan pork and brown rice
Minnie15 says
Fish finger sandwich 🙂 x
Stephen Little says
Pot Noodle
Helen says
Scrambled eggs on toast
Emma Deeley says
Penne Aribiatta simple, quick and tasty
Sheila Reeves says
Tagliatelle Broccolo – simple, quick and healthy!
Karen R says
Spag bol is our midweek family favourite 🙂
trevor linvell says
Pesto pasta, quick and tasty!
Claire Bingham says
fajitas
Kristy Brown says
Spaghetti carbonara
Layla Thomas says
Spaghetti with cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese.
Victoria Prince says
A stir fry with whatever veg I have around plus either egg or meat!
Helen Allan says
Macaroni cheese. Thank you!
Diana says
Sausages and mash 🙂
Carly M says
Different pasta dishes
Sheri Darby says
Pasta with easy home made tomato sauce
Mary Baldwin says
Pasta with cream cheese, peas and chilli flakes.
Kristina Trick says
Stir Fry
michelle kemp says
carbonara
Andrew Hindley says
Nice ‘N’ Spicy Chlli Con Carnie with Minced Steak and Rice
Mark Chamberlin says
Baked spuds, salmon and rice or chicken wrapped in Parma Ham.
Lynne Durkin says
Pasta and a jar of pasta sauce then cook a couple of chicken breasts in the oven, chop them up and throw it all together. Kids love it!
emma falvi says
rice with vegetables
claire little says
pasta with sauce 🙂
Emma Wolski says
Rice, bacon, prawns and peas. I even use Uncle Bens – so easy!
Lauren Old says
Microwaved jacket potatoes!
Debbie Nichols says
Meatballs and spaghetti
Liz says
Stir fry
Jennifer Toal says
Chicken and bacon wraps
Kat Lucas says
Grilled chicken & rice
MichelleD says
Creamy asparagus tagliatelle!
leanne weir says
Pasta with tuna and sweetcorn
Emma Ellams says
Pasta with tuna and sweetcorn
Natasha Mairs says
pasta with a tomato sauce and loads of cheese!
Amy Rennocks says
Home Made Soup.. I normally make it with any vegetables I ned to use and then pasta/stock/lentils. Yum <3
Diane Carey says
Pasta Bake. We buy tubs of Bolognese Sauce from Sainsburys which is really nice
Lucy Rose says
A simple pasta bake!
Anthony G says
Chicken & Bacon Stir Fry
karen Howden says
Tuna Pasta Bake
Allan Wilson says
Macaroni Cheese
Sarah Lee says
Breaded chicken wraps
Sarah Heath says
Tuna steak with a jacket potato and veg
Angie Hoggett says
veggie lasagne
fiona mcbride says
Sweet potato tinned boneless salmon or mackerel fillets in olive oil and lemon quickly pan fried in olive oil with anchovies, lots of green veg ( green beans, broccoli etc) with lemon juice and pepper to serve topped with fresh dill
Helen M says
Sausages with boulangere potatoes and onion gravy
Juli Savage says
Fresh Noodles with Spinach, Mushrooms and Garlic with a dash of cream cheese mixed in
Claire Hull says
Spaghetti Bolognese
Elaine Savage says
Spicy Tomato Pasta with Chorizo
Kaci Soderstrom says
Red thai chicken curry
Mark Palmer says
Spaghetti Bolognese
gemma brown says
chilli con carne
Pamela Downey says
Chicken wrapped in parma ham
Sally Collingwood says
Egg and chips
coral preece says
Easiest would probably be chicken stir fry x
Corinne Peat says
Chicken stir fry
Joe McEvoy says
Chicken jambalaya!
mce023
Hayley Austin says
Chicken jambalaya!
Laura says
Spaghetti Bolognese
Kelly Wells says
Pasta carbonara
Maureen findley says
chilli
Stacey says
Omelettes 🙂 xx
Catherine says
This bowl looks absolutely fantastic. Such a delicious and wonderful treat…Pinning. xo, Catherine
Amy Withnall says
Cheese on toast with vegetarian pepperoni
Pauline Wilson says
Pizzas and wedges is always a winner
Tammy Tudor says
Vegetable lasagna 🙂 so yummy
Milly Y says
A chicken stir fry!
Stacey Tripconey says
Meatball and tomato wraps
Kate Milton says
Beans on toast is about as exotic as I get at the moment 🙂
PAULINE HILL says
Pasta carbonara.
Marie B says
Omelette
Sam Bresnahan says
I love making a quick chicken and vegetable stir fry with hoisin sauce and noodles
claire blaney says
Vegetable beef stir fry with soy sauce
Karen Lloyd says
I add some sauteed onion, mushrooms and garlic to a tin of mixed beans in a mild chilli sauce. Add a bit of fresh coriander and serve with potato wedges.
Jen Schofield says
Definitely Spaghetti Bolognese
Caroline H says
Pasta with pesto, feta, olives, sun-dried tomato and olives for us.
Christine Quinn says
A light stew
Nikki Stewart says
Baked Potatoes done in my slow cooker x
Nikki Hunter says
Chicken pasta bake 🙂 yum!
Elizabeth Hinds says
Meatball Pasta Bake 🙂
Paul Wilson says
Pad Thai
Ashleigh Allan says
Pasta bake!
Scott Walliss says
Omlette is my quick and easy meal fix
alex fowler says
Stuffed mushrooms 🙂
Lyla says
Spaghetti Bolognaise
Karen Barrett says
Carbonara
Natalie D says
pasta and tomato sauce
Leanne says
Spag bol … every time.
Lynsey Buchanan says
Toast with melted cheese and beans
olga carpenter says
tuna pasta bake
Hazel Rea says
Pasta carbonara.
Michelle Banks says
Spaghetti Bolognese
Joyce McCormack says
Looks delicious and this looks like a cookery book I’d like to introduce my family to.
Ms Suan Watts says
Tomatoes on toast
Laura Pritchard says
Sausage, mash, peas & gravy
Tracey Parker says
Spaghetti Bolognese
Margaret Lee-Roberts says
Cheese on toast!
Mark Burton says
falafel wraps
Roger Bufton says
welsh rabbit
Paula Readings says
Spaghetti Bolognaise
Jessica Powell says
cheesy pasta x
Lorraine Crawford says
Macaroni cheese with chorizo and garlic bread! Yummy!
Jane Willis says
Cheese omelette with green salad and crusty bread
Joanne T Ferguson says
Love this combination and I could really go for some of this right now!
Iris Waldburger says
Spaghetti Bolognaise or Carabonara and if its got to be ultrafast poached eggs and tomatoes on toast
Morag P says
homemade pizza using a bread mix out of a packet!
Phil Morris says
Pasta Bake .. requires very little concentration. None of the elements can go wrong (unless you leave something on high heat for 20 mins … lack of concentration !). Ingredients can be varied easily (except the pasta .. correction: different pasta/shapes).
Hazel Hulson says
Love meatballs and penne pasta in tomato herb sauce
ann clements says
Jacket potato with scrambled eggs and baked beans
Gerri Tennant says
Low fat cream cheese stirred through hot pasta with strips of ham and toasted hazelnuts stirred through just before serving.
Sara JaneG says
Spag bol
Karen laing says
Cheesy beans on toast,it has to be a loaf from the bakers,cut into thick slices then toast under the grill.Grate some cheese,cheddar works well and add to baked beans add a generous glug of Lea and Perrins and there you have it,delicous,nutritous and done in 10 minutes x
laura stewart says
sticky lemon chicken with noodles very easy to make and lovely xx
Laura says
A jacket potato with cheese and baked beans, but then I always have things in the freezer for when I don’t have much time too.
Spencer Broadley says
Tuna Pasta bake
Josie says
This looks great, I’ve never tried bacon in pasta before! Excited to give it a try! 🙂
Claire Eadie says
A quick stir fry, usually chicken chow mein x
frances hopkins says
Spag bol x
kim neville says
Tuna pasta
Kristiina says
omelette with spinach
Janice says
With the snow we have had today and the cold winds, this looks like the perfect carb loaded recipe! The breadcrumbs are a lovely idea for a different texture.
Heather Haigh says
Mushroom and chinese vegetable stir fry
Margot @ Coffee & Vanilla says
Simple but delicious recipe, my girls would love it. My mum always re-fry pasta on butter with breadcrumbs so with addition of bacon it could create the whole new meal 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Melanie Edjourian says
Sweet and sour chicken as it’s so easy and tastes amazing
winnie says
kimchi fried rice
Susan younger says
Sounds like some lovely recipes
Helen Battle says
Scrambled eggs on toast
Chris Andrews says
got to be cauliflower cheese definitely – quick, easy nutritious and tasty
Tracy Hanley says
bacon butty
pete c says
a nice soup
Ursula Hunt says
Bet this tastes delicious
laura banks says
cheese on toast
Hannah Ingham says
Omelette!
kellyjo walters says
a quick risotto.. chicken or chorizo .. haddock with a paached egg
iain maciver says
French toast
Charlene says
Probably something like a stir fry, or a simple pasta sauce.
Anita-Clare Field says
Looks like a delicious lunch dish. We’ll definitely give it a try.
Tracy Nixon says
Macaroni cheese!
Blessing O says
Mine is usually quinoa & spicy Persian lamb 🙂
Blessing O says
I’ve recently been avoiding carbs like a plague but this does look good! There’s bacon in it, who doesn’t love bacon? Haha I’m sold 🙂
Crystal says
Pasta with homemade sauce that I make in big batches and freeze in smaller portions.
Tracey Peach says
My Spaghetti & meat balls xxx
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
Yeap, I regularly need carbohydrates in my life esp when they involve bacon and crispy breadcrumbs..
Rosie Holloway says
Got a recipe for sausage cassoulet that only takes 30 minutes – have it a lot
Linda Hobbis says
Often it’s pasta and lemon chicken with a Philadelphia cheese sauce. Even I can manage that one!.
Sarah Pybus says
Garlic mushrooms on toast 🙂
Denfor Hopkins says
My favourite is Tuna Mayonnaise
claire woods says
Jacket potato with cheese.