Name: Makeover Rigatoni with Bacon and Asparagus
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and coarsely chopped -; 1 package (16 ounces) rigatoni -; 2 tablespoons butter -; 1 tablespoon olive oil -; 1 garlic clove, minced -; 2/3 cup half-and-half cream -; 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese -; 8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled -; 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley -; 1/2 teaspoon salt -; 1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper -; 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese -

Ingredients for - Makeover Rigatoni with Bacon and Asparagus

1. 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and coarsely chopped

2. 1 package (16 ounces) rigatoni

3. 2 tablespoons butter

4. 1 tablespoon olive oil

5. 1 garlic clove, minced

6. 2/3 cup half-and-half cream

7. 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

8. 8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

9. 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

10. 1/2 teaspoon salt

11. 1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

12. 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

How to cook deliciously - Makeover Rigatoni with Bacon and Asparagus

1 . Stage

Fill a 6-qt. stockpot 3/4 full with water; bring to a boil. Add asparagus; cook, uncovered, 3 minutes or until tender. Remove with a slotted spoon and immediately drop into ice water. Drain and pat dry.

2 . Stage

Return water to a boil; cook rigatoni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat butter and oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in cream. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 3-4 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in mozzarella cheese until melted.

3 . Stage

Drain rigatoni; return to pan. Stir in asparagus, bacon, parsley, salt, pepper and cream sauce. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.