Easy Dinners: Chicken, Bacon and Baby Spinach Pasta

Dinner time is ALWAYS chaotic at our place.  If I don’t have something ready  to serve by 5pm, I know I’m  in trouble.    After a few particularly crazy busy nights, when the boys just happened to be asleep at the same time I decided to make the most of the opportunity and get dinner ready early.  After a quick raid of the fridge and freezer I had a chicken breast, bacon and baby spinach, add in some pasta to satisfy my carb mad boys and I knew we’d be set!

This Chicken, Bacon and Baby Spinach Pasta took around 25 minutes from start to finish to put together, and I couldn’t help but feel a small sense of satisfaction when I was able to quickly heat up dinner at 4.55 – ready in time for two cranky hungry boys to devour.

It was also a winner with the big people in our house, both my husband and I enjoyed it and there was just enough leftovers for lunch the next day.

You will need:

200g of spaghetti

250g of chicken breast

4 slices of shortcut bacon

1 brown onion

1/2 red capsicum

1 cup of baby spinach leaves

400g tin of chopped tomatoes

2 cloves of crushed garlic

1 tablespoon of dried mixed herbs

pinch of sugar

Let’s put it together:

Cook the spaghetti as per packet instructions

In a non stick frying pan, add the onion, capsicum and garlic and cook for 2 minutes over a medium heat.  Add the diced chicken and bacon and cook for a further 5 – 7 minutes of until the chicken has browned and almost cooked through.

Add the tin of tomatoes, herbs and a pinch of sugar.  Stir through and reduce heat to medium/low and cook for a further 5 minutes. Add the baby spinach and cook for a further 2 – 3 minutes or until the spinach is wilted.

Drain the cooked pasta and divide amongst bowls.  Spoon the sauce over the top and sprinkle with parmesan cheese to serve.

Enjoy!

** This can also be frozen for up to two months.

What is your favourite weeknight meal? I’d love to hear your suggestions!