Creamy Tuscan Chicken and Bacon Spaghetti with Roasted Tomatoes

If you love creamy pasta dishes, this Tuscan-inspired spaghetti is about to become your new favorite. Juicy chicken cutlets are seasoned with a warm spice blend and pan-seared until golden, then served over a bed of al dente spaghetti coated in a luscious, cheesy sauce. Crispy bacon and oven-roasted tomatoes add texture and a burst of sweetness in every bite.

This dish is a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal that comes together in under an hour. The combination of garlic, Parmesan and a touch of cream cheese creates a velvety sauce that clings to every strand of pasta. Perfect for a cozy dinner or when you want to impress guests without spending all day in the kitchen.

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Ingredients

4 ounce BaconView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Cream CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 tablespoon Parmesan CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

12 ounce Chicken CutletsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Tuscan Heat SpiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce SpaghettiView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 tablespoon (tbsp) ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 teaspoon (tsp) Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Adjust rack to middle position and preheat oven to 400°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce. Cut each tomato into 6 wedges. Place whole garlic clove on a small piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper; fold foil to create a sealed packet.
2. Drizzle a foil-lined baking sheet with oil. Arrange tomato wedges skin side down on the sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with 1 tsp Tuscan Heat Spice (2 tsp for 4 servings), salt and pepper. Place the garlic packet on the same sheet. Roast on middle rack until tomatoes are just wilted, 20-25 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, heat a medium dry pan over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook, turning occasionally, until crispy, 6-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Once cool, roughly chop. Wipe out the pan.
4. Once water is boiling, add spaghetti and cook until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve ¾ cup pasta cooking water (1½ cups for 4 servings), then drain. Keep the empty pot handy.
5. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1 tsp Tuscan Heat Spice (2 tsp for 4 servings), salt and pepper. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until browned and cooked through, 5-7 minutes per side. Turn off heat; cover to keep warm.
6. When garlic is done roasting, carefully remove from foil. In the pot used for pasta, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 1 tsp Tuscan Heat Spice and the roasted garlic; mash with the back of a spoon. Stir in ⅔ cup reserved pasta water, cream cheese, half the Parmesan and 2 tbsp butter until smooth. Turn off heat; season with salt and pepper.
7. Add spaghetti to the sauce and toss until evenly coated. If needed, add more pasta water a splash at a time for a creamy consistency. Slice chicken. Serve spaghetti topped with chicken, roasted tomatoes, bacon and remaining Parmesan.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes, you can substitute spaghetti with fettuccine, linguine or any long pasta. Adjust cooking time according to package directions.

How do I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or milk to restore creaminess.

Can I make this dish dairy-free?

You can try using dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives and omit the Parmesan or use a vegan substitute. The flavor and texture may vary.