Bacon & Egg Spaghetti

Quirky combo, huh?  I never would have thought to combine bacon and eggs with spaghetti, and then serve it as supper.  But, truth be told, it's a really delicious and very affordable dinner that your entire family will enjoy!

(The original recipe came from the March 2013 Better Homes & Gardens magazine, but I tweeked it a bit...)

Ingredients:
2 slices whole grain bread, cut into small cubes
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
8 oz dried spaghetti
6 slices peppered bacon
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
4 eggs
1 cup fresh spinach
Extra grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Toss cubed bread, 1 1/2 tsp olive oil, and 1 Tbsp Parmesan in large ziplock bag...then shake until bread is evenly coated.  Spread bread cubes on a large foil-lined baking sheet covered with non-stick cooking spray.  Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown.  Set aside to cool.

2. In large pot, cook spaghetti according to box directions. Drain, set aside.  Reserve 3/4 cup pasta water.

3. Meanwhile, in large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp; drain well on paper towels.  Tear bacon into small bite-sized pieces, and set aside.  Keep skillet warm, reserving bacon drippings in the skillet.

4. In the same large pot used to cook pasta, cook minced garlic in remaining 2 Tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat for 1 minute.  Add salt and crushed red pepper.  Add cooked pasta, fresh spinach, and remaining Parmesan.  Add enough reserved pasta water to desired consistency; toss to coat.  Cover to keep warm.

5. Heat the large skillet with reserved bacon drippings to medium heat.  Break eggs into skillet.  Reduce heat to low; cook eggs approximately 3-4 minutes, or until desired doneness.

6. Divide spaghetti among 4 plates.  Top with bacon and toasted bread cubes.  Serve with eggs.  Provide extra Parmesan cheese for garnish.  (Makes 4 servings.)

This recipe will make you feel like a gourmet chef.  The meal is really pretty once it's plated and the unique-factor on a scale of 1 to 10, is a 10+.  Expect raised eyebrows and lots of "Wow!"s!