Caramelized Apple, Bacon & Pumpkin Linguine

Get pumped for pumpkin season with this delicious fall pasta recipe. 

It's almost harvest time, so goat cheese, baked apples, fresh pumpkin, and thick cut bacon are coming out to play on your taste buds. Bind all of these ingredients with al dente 
Did we mention bacon? Guys, bacon AND pumpkin. You're welcome. Get prepping this unprecedentedly delicious pasta dinner idea right away!

Caramelized Apple, Bacon & Pumpkin Linguine

Serves: 8 people
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
1 box Barilla® Linguine
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 cups apples, peeled, diced ½ inch
3 cups pumpkin*, peeled, diced ½ inch
6 slices thick cut bacon, ½ inch strips
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped sea salt and black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, toasted
2 ounces goat cheese

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425° F
2. In mixing bowl, combine olive oil, apples, pumpkin, thyme and bacon lardoons
3. Place on nonstick baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes until apples are caramelized and pumpkin is soft
4. Cook linguine according to package directions; drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water
5. Place pasta and pasta water back in saucepan over medium heat
6. Add apple mixture, scrapping all ingredients from baking sheet into pasta
7. Toss and heat pumpkin pasta through, season to taste
8. Place in eight bowls and top with toasted pumpkin seeds and cheese

*can substitute butternut squash

Photo Credit: Lou Manna (http://loumanna.com/). Food Stylist: Diane Vezza (http://www.dianevezza.com/)